If a loan offer has just landed in your messages, or you’re about to apply with a lender you found online, here is the short version: check the lender against the official list, make sure every contact detail matches, and never pay money or hand over your Singpass before meeting the lender in person.
That check takes a few minutes. This guide walks you through it, explains why matching the company name alone isn’t enough, and covers what to do if something already feels wrong.
The Three-Minute Check
- Find the lender on the official list of licensed moneylenders published by the Registry of Moneylenders on the Ministry of Law’s website. Use the list itself, not a link sent to you by the lender.
- Match every detail, not just the name. The phone number, address and website you were given should match the official record exactly.
- Contact the lender yourself using the details from the official list, and confirm the offer is real before you share anything.
If the lender isn’t on the list, or any detail doesn’t match, stop there.
Where to Find the Official List
The Registry of Moneylenders, part of the Ministry of Law, publishes the official list on its website at rom.mlaw.gov.sg. The list is a PDF titled “List of Licensed Moneylenders as at” followed by a date, and it is updated regularly. It is the only source that settles whether a lender is licensed.
Three habits make the check reliable.
Go to the list yourself. Type rom.mlaw.gov.sg into your browser rather than clicking a link. A link supplied by the lender could lead to a convincing copy.
Use the latest version. Check the date in the list’s title and make sure you’re reading the most recent one. Licences can be suspended or revoked, and new lenders are added, so an older copy may not reflect a lender’s status today.
Don’t rely on screenshots. A lender who sends you a screenshot of the list, or of their licence, hasn’t shown you anything you can trust. Check the source.
Why Matching the Name Isn’t Enough
This is the step most borrowers skip, and it’s the one scammers count on.
Illegal operators often pose as real licensed moneylenders. They copy a genuine company’s name, licence number and logo, then attach their own phone number, WhatsApp account or website. If you check only the name, the lender appears legitimate, because the name really does belong to a licensed business. It just doesn’t belong to the person messaging you.
So compare every detail:
- Phone number. Does the number contacting you match the number on the official record?
- Address. Is it the approved place of business shown on the list?
- Website. Look-alike domains often differ by a single letter, a hyphen or a different ending. Check that the address and phone number shown on the website match the official list.
- Email. Does it come from the lender’s own website domain, rather than a free email account?
If anything doesn’t match, contact the licensed company directly using the details from the official list and ask whether the offer came from them.
What a Legitimate Licensed Moneylender Will Do
Licensed moneylenders follow rules about how they find customers and how they grant loans. Knowing those rules gives you a second test, independent of the list.
They advertise only through permitted channels. A licensed moneylender may advertise through business or consumer directories, its own website, and within or on the exterior of its approved business premises. A loan offer that arrives by unsolicited SMS, WhatsApp message, phone call or flyer did not come through a permitted channel.
They meet you in person before granting the loan. You can usually start an application or enquiry online. The loan itself cannot be granted until the lender has met you face to face at its approved place of business, checked your identity against your original identification document, and explained the loan terms to you.
They give you a written contract and receipts. You should receive a copy of the completed Note of Contract, and a receipt for every repayment you make.
They deduct the administrative fee from the loan. A licensed moneylender may charge an upfront administrative fee of up to 10% of the principal, and it is taken out of the loan amount when the loan is paid out. You should never need to transfer money to a lender to “release” your loan. For more on what lenders can legally charge, see our guide to licensed moneylender interest rates and fees.
Red Flags: Stop If You See Any of These
- The lender contacted you first, by SMS, WhatsApp, phone call or social media
- You’re asked to pay a fee, deposit or “processing charge” before receiving the loan
- You’re asked for your Singpass password, or for a one-time password sent to your phone
- You’re asked to hand over your NRIC, passport, work pass, driver’s licence or ATM card
- The loan is approved without any in-person meeting
- You’re asked to sign a blank or incomplete contract
- You’re asked to receive money into your bank account and pass it on, or to let someone use your account
- The lender’s contact details don’t match the official list
- The deal is unusually fast, unusually easy, or comes with pressure to decide now
That point about your bank account deserves emphasis. Letting someone use your bank account, Singpass or phone number can draw you into a police investigation, even if you thought you were only applying for a loan.
Common Misconceptions
“They’re registered with ACRA, so they must be licensed.” ACRA registration means a business exists. It says nothing about whether that business holds a moneylending licence, which is issued separately by the Registry of Moneylenders.
“They have a professional website and lots of good reviews.” Both can be faked or bought. Neither is evidence of a licence. The official list is.
“My bank isn’t on the list, so is it illegal?” No. Banks, finance companies and other institutions regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore are not licensed moneylenders. They’re regulated under a separate framework, which is why they don’t appear on the Registry’s list. The list is the right test for moneylenders, not for every organisation that lends money.
Received a Message Claiming to Be From Jefflee Credit?
Because scammers impersonate real licensed lenders, here are our official details. If a message claiming to be from us doesn’t match them, it isn’t from us.
| Business name | Jefflee Credit |
| Licence number | 112/2026 |
| Approved place of business | 131 Jurong Gateway Road, #01-261, Singapore 600131 |
| Official phone | +65 6515 5611 |
| Website | www.jeffleecredit.sg |
| admin@jeffleecredit.sg |
We never send unsolicited loan offers. We only contact you after you’ve applied or enquired with us yourself. If you receive an unexpected loan offer using our name, don’t reply. Check our details against the Registry’s official list, then call us on +65 6515 5611 to confirm, and report the message to the police.
If You’ve Already Borrowed From an Unlicensed Lender
Don’t stay silent out of fear or embarrassment. Illegal lenders rely on that.
Under section 19(3) of the Moneylenders Act 2008, a loan contract granted by an unlicensed moneylender is unenforceable, as is any guarantee or security given for it, and money paid out under it is not recoverable through the courts. This is subject to the statutory exception in section 19(4). In practice, an illegal lender cannot use the legal system to recover from you, which is why they turn to harassment instead.
Report the lender rather than continuing to pay, keep a record of every message and payment, and don’t agree to help them in any way in exchange for reducing your debt. The police can advise you on your specific situation.
How to Report
Suspected illegal moneylending: contact the police hotline on 1800-255-0000, report online through i-Witness, or visit your nearest Neighbourhood Police Centre. Call 999 if you’re facing threats, harassment or immediate danger.
Concerns about a licensed moneylender: contact the Registry of Moneylenders on 1800-2255-529, or use the Registry’s online reporting channel.
For more on the types of loan scams circulating in Singapore, see our guide to loan scams in Singapore. If you’re a foreigner or work pass holder, our guide to foreigner loans in Singapore explains how borrowing works for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a moneylender is licensed in Singapore? Find the lender on the official list of licensed moneylenders published by the Registry of Moneylenders on the Ministry of Law’s website, and make sure every contact detail matches the official record.
If the name and licence number match the list, is the lender safe? Not necessarily. Scammers copy real licensed moneylenders’ names and licence numbers. Check that the phone number, address and website also match the official record.
Can a licensed moneylender approve a loan without meeting me? No. A licensed moneylender must meet you in person at its approved place of business, verify your identity against your original identification document, and explain the loan terms before granting the loan.
Is it normal to pay a fee before my loan is released? No. A licensed moneylender deducts its administrative fee from the loan amount when the loan is paid out. A request to transfer money before receiving your loan is a common scam.
Is a company registered with ACRA a licensed moneylender? Not necessarily. ACRA registration shows a business exists. A moneylending licence is issued separately by the Registry of Moneylenders.
Why isn’t my bank on the licensed moneylender list? Banks and other institutions regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore are not licensed moneylenders. They are regulated under a separate framework.
How can I tell if a message claiming to be from Jefflee Credit is real? Jefflee Credit never sends unsolicited loan offers. Check any message against our official details and the Registry’s list, then call us on +65 6515 5611 to confirm.
How do I report an illegal moneylender? Contact the police hotline on 1800-255-0000, report through i-Witness, or call 999 in an emergency.