Scam losses in Singapore reached over SGD 660 million just last year. Attacks using malware, phishing, and impersonation are constantly evolving, endangering regular people and their hard-earned money. Banks are stepping up their efforts to stay ahead, and DBS is grabbing attention for one of its most significant actions: appointing a former law enforcement officer to spearhead the fight against financial crime. Justina Pang is one of 18 specialists in DBS Bank’s dedicated anti-scam team.
The Change Patrols to Protocols
Imagine entering a bank not simply as a client but as an employee whose primary responsibility it is to thwart scams before they have a chance to access a single dollar in your account. For this former policewoman, that is the situation. More than just a professional move, her mission to protect DBS customers from scams is personal. She adds a streetwise sensibility to the realm of digital banking, having spent years pursuing fraudsters and cybercriminals.
Deception is nothing new to her. She oversaw investigations into tech-savvy crime syndicates while she was a member of the Singapore Police Force. She also observed how con artists take advantage of human nature and witnessed the emotional and financial suffering of victims, many of whom were regular people. Since scammers have shifted from dark alleys to dark web forums, she is now using that same expertise to keep one step ahead of them.
Defending Against Internal Scams
At DBS, combating scams is a human problem as much as a technical one. After a long, stressful day, you are more likely to fall for a phishing SMS. Because the link appears important, you might click on a phony one. These human tendencies are taken into consideration in the ex-policewoman’s mission to protect DBS customers from scams. She has contributed to the creation of real-time fraud detection systems that can identify scam trends, stop questionable transactions in their tracks, and even send you push warnings if anything does not seem right.
Her new internal project, “Eyes On Scams,” teaches DBS frontline employees how to recognize warning signs in consumer behavior. There is now a greater likelihood that someone at the counter will politely ask a few questions if you ever appear anxious or uncertain while approving a significant transfer—and perhaps even save you from a scam.
A Novel Type of Public Employee
You may believe that quitting the force entails abandoning public duty, but that is not the case in this case. In order to carry on the work, she began while in uniform, the former policewoman’s mission is to protect DBS customers from scams. She simply dons a new badge, but it still represents safety.
Consider the instance of a senior who nearly lost SGD 80,000 to a phony bank employee. It was a brand-new scam variation that had not yet received much publicity. Within minutes, the bank halted the transaction thanks to a quick alarm system and employees educated under this new anti-scam initiative. The woman who contributed to the system’s development was largely responsible for the customer’s funds remaining intact.
Keeping Up with Innovation in Crime
Scammers are quick to adapt. The battlefield is always changing, from deepfake calls produced by AI to QR code fraud. Keeping her team flexible is essential to the former policewoman’s mission to protect DBS customers against scams. To mimic scam attacks before they occur, she collaborates with behavioral psychologists, cybersecurity specialists, and even ex-hackers. Consider it a fake fire drill.
Her team frequently investigates actual crimes, including as the 2022 OCBC SMS phishing scam, in which victims lost more than SGD 13 million. Data from these breaches informs new regulations and technological advancements. That might be the fingerprint of her team the next time you see a warning notice or a new authentication step in your banking app.
What It Signifies to You
Because someone like her works behind the scenes, you, as a DBS client, are in safer hands. A daily commitment supported by years of practical knowledge and keen intuition, the ex-policewoman’s mission to protect DBS customers from scams is more than simply a catchphrase.
It is not necessary to be paranoid. Just be mindful. Scams can change, but so can the people who are trying to protect you. These protectors can also have a vision for your future along with a badge from their history.
