Singapore Online Safety: Report Instagram Harm or Impersonation

Singapore now has a dedicated body for online harms. Here's which route fits your case.

Last checked: 29 October 2026 against the sources listed at the end of this guide.

Keep a dated note of every screen you see, including the exact wording shown, before you press continue on any form. Keep a dated note of every screen you see, including the exact wording shown, before you press continue on any form. Keep a dated note of every screen you see, including the exact wording shown, before you press continue on any form.

#Which route fits my case?

Singapore's Online Safety Commission (OSC) began operations on 29 June 2026, according to the Ministry of Law. In its first phase it supports victims of five online harms: online harassment, doxxing, online stalking, intimate image abuse and image-based child abuse. The other eight categories of harm under the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act 2025 will be implemented progressively.

#How do I report to the OSC?

The Ministry of Law says reports are made on the OSC website, osc.gov.sg, with details of the harm. There is no fee, and parents can report for children under 18.

The Ministry of Law says that for online harassment and online stalking, you should first report the content to the platform, and if the platform doesn't respond promptly or responds inadequately within 24 hours, you can report to the OSC. For intimate image abuse, image-based child abuse and doxxing, you can report directly through osc.gov.sg. Parents and guardians can report for victims under 18, another person can report with the victim's written authorisation, and there's no fee.

If the OSC suspects online harm has occurred, the Commissioner can direct the poster, a group or page administrator, or the platform to stop or limit it, for example by disabling access to the content or restricting the perpetrator's account. Not complying with a direction is a criminal offence. The OSC site says that if you're in immediate danger, contact the police through their emergency call or SMS lines.

#What evidence should I keep?

• Screenshots with the username and date.
• Links to profiles and posts.
• Your Instagram report confirmations.
• Any messages threatening you.

Related guides: How Do I Protect a Celebrity or VIP Account From Impersonation on Instagram?, How Do I Report a Fake Instagram Account as a Business or Brand?, Someone Is Impersonating Me With a WhatsApp Username: How Do I Report It?.

Instagram's Report a post or profile page says you can report content for reasons including scam, fraud or spam, and report a profile for pretending to be someone else. Tap Options on the post or profile, then Report, and follow the steps. Instagram says reports are anonymous, except for intellectual property reports, so the account won't see who reported it.

ScamShield's What to include when you file a police report page lists what to gather: the date and time of the scam, how they contacted you, the scammer's phone number, email, website links or other contact details, screenshots of messages, receipts or invoices, bank transaction records showing the loss, and any recordings. Mention reports you've already made, for example to your bank or the ScamShield Helpline, with their reference numbers, and the steps you've taken to stop further losses.

#What common mistakes should I avoid?

• Skipping the platform report for harassment cases.
• Deleting evidence before reporting.
• Replying to or threatening the person.
• Paying anyone who promises a takedown.

Instagram's Secure your Instagram account page calls two-factor authentication the single most effective step to protect an account from hackers, because it asks for a code when someone logs in from a device Instagram doesn't recognise. It also recommends a strong, unique password you haven't used elsewhere, avoiding personal details like names and birthdays, and never giving your password to anyone you don't know and trust.

#How do I keep the account safe while I sort this out?

• Never share a login code, password or backup code with anyone, including people who say they work for Meta, the police or a recovery service.
• Make sure the email address and phone number on the account are ones you still control, and remove any you do not recognise.
• Turn on two-factor authentication where the platform offers it, ideally with an authenticator app, and keep your backup codes somewhere offline.
• Log in only from the official app or by typing the address yourself, not from links in messages, comments or ads.
• Keep screenshots of every notice, email and step you take, with dates, in case you need them for a review or a report.
• Make one careful attempt at each official step rather than many rushed ones, because repeated failed attempts can trigger extra checks.

#When It Is Safer to Get Expert Help

Ask for help before you appeal if the account matters to your income, your business or your memories, if you have already had one appeal rejected, or if you cannot tell whether the problem is a bug, a restriction or a hack. That is where most avoidable losses happen.

AwareXone is independent and not affiliated with Meta, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp or Threads. Recovery work is best-effort and the platform makes the final decision.