A suspected Chinese run campaign was highlighted by The Google's Threat Analysis Group (TAG)
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has identified six inauthentic websites operated by foreign actors that could be used to mount hostile information campaigns (HICs) against Singapore. The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has considered MHA’s findings and is satisfied that it is necessary to issue directions to Internet Access Service Providers (IASPs) to disable access to these six inauthentic websites for users in Singapore.
The geopolitical logic is clear. In an era of hybrid warfare, information is cheaper and more deniable than missiles. Foreign powers have used identical methods elsewhere: creating lookalike news domains to exploit societal fault lines, sway elections, and erode confidence in institutions. Singapore’s case is textbook — the sites activated precisely when electoral attention peaked, then masqueraded as insiders shaping “local sentiment.”
The five inauthentic websites masquerade as mainstream Singapore news websites in the following ways:
(a) The five inauthentic websites use domain names with the word “singapore” or associated terms (e.g. nanyang) and have published Singapore-related content. “Nanyangweekly.com” and “singaporebuzz.com” feature sub-headers titled “Singapore News” and “voice from Singapore” respectively, while “Singaporeheadline.com” and “singaporeweek.com” state that the website is about Singapore news.
(b) During the General Election 2025 (GE), four of the websites (i.e., “nanyangweekly.com”, “singapore24hour.com”, “singaporeheadline.com” and “singaporeweek.com”) carried GE-related news over the course of the 10-day campaign period. Notably, most of these websites were largely inactive prior to the issuance of the writ of election, and only became active after the writ was issued.
The last of the six inauthentic websites, “sgtimes.com”, also masquerades as a Singapore mainstream news website. Through its visual appearance and content, the website seeks to pass off as a Singapore mainstream news website
The Malicious Tactic : Information Warfare
Based on the DNS records of these websites, which are still operational in other parts of the other parts of the globe, Chinese links have been observed. It is a common tactic for malicious foreign actors to build seemingly credible websites to attract a local following, and subsequently use these inauthentic websites to mount HICs. As per the Ministry, foreign actors have created and used inauthentic news websites to propagate false narratives and sway the target population’s sentiments to advance their own interests.
The outcomes are serious: HICs can incite social tension, exploit societal fault lines, manipulate elections and electoral outcomes, as well as undermine confidence and trust in public institutions.
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