A new online game, #XiamTheScams, is being launched by the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) to help players identify and dodge scams while offering over $200,000 in prizes.
Image: NCPC
Developed by gamification marketing company Sqkii, the game promises cash prizes totaling $55,000, along with iPhones, PlayStations, and other rewards. The top 100 players will win cash, with the top scorer taking home a grand prize of $10,000.
Launched on 24 October 2024, #XiamTheScams is a life-simulator web game where players choose one of three characters and make decisions to boost their scores while avoiding scams. With over 90 storylines and hundreds of scenarios, the game provides an engaging way to raise scam awareness. Players can also collect Stars, which unlock gift boxes containing non-cash rewards like vouchers, iPhones, and Logitech products.
Screengrab: XiamTheScam
NCPC chairman Gerald Singham hopes this gamified approach will increase public vigilance against scams.
#XiamTheScams follows Sqkii’s previous success with the #HuntTheMouse game, where players searched for hidden coins for a chance at $500,000. This latest initiative was first announced by Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam during the NCPC gala on 27 September 2024, where the new ScamShield Suite was introduced to consolidate anti-scam efforts.
The game runs for three months and ends on January 22, 2025. You can access the game here or through the Shopee app.
