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The technology, announced on Wednesday at Singapore International Cyber Week, uses a customised version of Google’s Gemma model to recognise manipulation in conversations and warn users before they transfer money or disclose sensitive information.

The partners have not announced a public release date, named supported messaging applications or published independent accuracy figures. Their announcement describes a model that messaging platforms and operating system developers could integrate, rather than a scam detection application already available for general download.

The initiative forms part of the National AI Partnership between Google DeepMind and Singapore’s government. It addresses fraud schemes that unfold through extended conversations, rather than relying exclusively on suspicious links, keywords or individual messages.

Google DeepMind said the model had been adapted using examples of scams involving impersonation of banks, public institutions and prominent local figures. Its training also covered regional fraud patterns intended to make fraudulent exchanges appear credible to Singaporean users.

The system operates through two stages to limit the processing demands placed on smartphones. A lightweight classifier initially examines incoming messages for possible threats, consuming relatively little computing power. Messages considered suspicious then undergo a more detailed assessment using the fine tuned Gemma model.

During the second stage, the AI examines a broader section of the conversation to assess whether the exchange displays patterns of manipulation. This contextual approach is intended to distinguish ordinary conversations from attempts to build trust before requesting payments, passwords or other confidential details.

Where the model identifies potentially fraudulent behaviour, it generates a warning on the handset, encouraging the recipient to pause and exercise caution. The alert is designed to intervene before a person acts on a scammer’s instructions, although the organisations have not disclosed measured reductions in fraud losses from using the system.

A central feature is that the analysis takes place locally. Conversations do not need to be uploaded for cloud based examination, an important distinction for messaging services that use end to end encryption to prevent intermediaries from reading message contents.

Mark Chen, director of trust and safety at GovTech Singapore, said the collaboration sought to identify targeted local scams in real time while keeping personal communications private. The partners present local processing as a way of reconciling fraud prevention with confidentiality.

The privacy safeguards also extend to development. Google DeepMind said the model was fine tuned inside a government managed Google Cloud environment described as a sovereign sandbox, where training material remained isolated.

According to the company, private citizen conversations and personally identifiable information were excluded from training. Instead, developers used anonymised datasets derived from scam reports and intelligence feeds. Testing included synthetic conversations and local material covering different scam categories and changing impersonation methods.

Those measures describe the development process and proposed operation, rather than an independent assessment of the finished product. The partners have not released detailed public benchmarks showing false positive rates, missed scams, battery consumption or performance across different smartphone models.

Singapore has strong reasons to pursue additional protections. Google DeepMind said scams account for more than half of crimes reported in the country, while cumulative losses since 2019 exceed S$4 billion. It estimated that social engineering schemes account for as much as 80 per cent of scam losses.

Such schemes often depend on prolonged interaction, with perpetrators establishing apparent relationships or authority before introducing requests for money. Detecting suspicious intent across multiple messages therefore presents a different technical challenge from blocking known fraudulent websites or telephone numbers.

The announcement comes alongside separate Android security enhancements unveiled by Google, including optional cloud assisted analysis in Google Messages. That service uses a protected computing environment, whereas the Singapore collaboration specifically centres on keeping conversation analysis on the handset.

The distinction is significant because the two approaches involve different arrangements for processing private communications. The Singapore model is designed to assess message content without transmitting conversations externally, although its practical privacy protections will also depend on how individual applications implement the technology.

Google DeepMind said its model was optimised for smartphones commonly used in Singapore. It has not specified the minimum hardware requirements, participating mobile manufacturers or whether the technology will eventually support additional languages and markets.

Three-year partnership celebrates excellence, ambition and Botswana’s remarkable development story through natural diamonds.

LONDON, UK/ GABORONE, BOTSWANA – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 October 2026 – De Beers Group and the Government of the Republic of Botswana today announced the extension of De Beers’ partnership with Olympic champion and Botswana sporting icon Letsile Tebogo. Originally launched in January 2025, when Tebogo was appointed a De Beers Global Ambassador, the partnership has now been expanded into a three-year programme of work between De Beers and the Government of Botswana as part of their wider collaboration to support natural diamond demand and promote Botswana’s unique contribution to the diamond industry. The extended partnership will help shine a light on the progress Botswana has achieved through diamonds as the nation celebrates its ‘diamond’ anniversary of 60 years since independence.

Building on the success of the initial partnership, the relationship will be anchored in a global storytelling platform themed “The Road to LA28”, following Tebogo’s journey as he prepares for the next chapter of his extraordinary career. The collaboration will spotlight the transformative role that natural diamonds play in creating opportunities, supporting communities and driving long-term prosperity in Botswana.

Letsile Tebogo said: “My success story is connected to Botswana’s diamond heritage. The resources that built our schools and sports facilities helped create opportunities for young athletes like me. This partnership goes beyond sport – it is about showcasing how natural resources can drive positive change and create pathways for the next generation.”

In 2024, Tebogo made history when he won Olympic gold in the men’s 200 metres in a time of 19.46 seconds, becoming the first African athlete to win the event and the first Motswana to claim an Olympic gold medal. His achievement captivated audiences worldwide and cemented his status as one of the most exciting talents in global sport.

Since then, Tebogo has continued to establish himself among the world’s elite sprinters. Named World Athletics Men’s Athlete of the Year in 2024, he has remained a leading force on the international circuit, delivering standout performances across global competitions and inspiring a new generation of athletes throughout Africa.

The partnership reflects the powerful connection between Tebogo’s personal journey and Botswana’s development story. Over more than five decades, Botswana’s diamond resources have helped support investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure and sport, creating opportunities for generations of Batswana and helping cultivate talents such as Tebogo. Like a natural diamond formed under pressure and transformed into something exceptional, Tebogo’s rise from Botswana to Olympic glory embodies resilience, determination and the fulfilment of potential.

The Road to LA28

As the face of the campaign, Tebogo will feature in content and storytelling initiatives that explore the dedication, sacrifice and support systems behind elite performance. Building on the Talent Unearthed platform, the campaign will connect sporting excellence with Botswana’s broader story of opportunity, progress and possibility.

Al Cook, CEO of De Beers Group, said: Anything worth having takes time, effort and pressure, whether that’s winning Olympic gold, the growth of a nation or the formation of a natural diamond. We are proud to extend our partnership with Letsile Tebogo, showcasing how Botswana nurtures its human talent just as carefully as it develops its precious natural resources. As Botswana’s approaches its 60th ‘diamond’ anniversary of independence, its people and its diamonds have never shone more brightly.

Honourable Bogolo Kenewendo, Minister of Minerals and Energy, said: “As we celebrate Botswana’s Diamond Jubilee, we have an opportunity to reflect on a remarkable national journey. From independence to today, natural diamonds have helped transform our country and create opportunities for generations of Batswana. Letsile’s rise to Olympic champion is a powerful example of what can be achieved when talent meets opportunity. Through this partnership, the Government of Botswana, De Beers Group and Letsile Tebogo will share Botswana’s story with global audiences while highlighting the enduring value and positive impact of natural diamonds.”

Hashtag: #DeBeersGroup #LetsileTebogo #ADiamondisForever #BuildingForever #NaturalDiamonds #Diamonds #創守永恒 #天然鑽石 #鑽石

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About De Beers Group

Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group’s strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers London and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology services. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach to sustainability that underpins our efforts to create meaningful impact for the people and places where our diamonds are discovered. Building Forever focuses on three key areas where, through collaborations and partnerships around the globe, we have an enhanced ability to drive positive impact; Livelihoods, Climate and Nature. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.

About The Republic of Botswana

Botswana is a peaceful and stable country in the heart of Southern Africa, renowned for its diamonds, spectacular wildlife, rich culture and breath-taking landscapes. In 2026, Botswana celebrates 60 years of independence – its Diamond Jubilee, marking six decades of nation-building, resilience and progress. Since independence in 1966, the country has made significant strides in economic and social development, with diamond revenues contributing to education, healthcare, infrastructure and improved livelihoods. Beyond diamonds, Botswana is a world-class tourism destination, home to the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Makgadikgadi Pans, offering unforgettable wildlife and safari experiences. The country is also celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, warm hospitality and strong traditions, including the internationally recognised Tswana way of life. As Botswana looks to the future, it is embracing economic diversification, investment, innovation, renewable energy and sustainable tourism, creating new opportunities for both local and international partners. Sixty years on, Botswana stands proud as a nation of peace, natural beauty, valuable resources and opportunity—building on its remarkable past while confidently shaping a prosperous future.

The company presented the programme on Tuesday as a proposed family of artificial intelligence-piloted aircraft intended for surveillance, strike and coordinated combat missions. Its smaller FWD Supreme Lite has completed taxi trials, founder Suhas Tejaskanda said, but no first-flight date has been confirmed.

The unveiling marks a further stage in the company’s effort to move from aircraft designs to flight-tested hardware. A static prototype demonstrates the proposed configuration rather than operational performance, and the aircraft’s advertised speed, range and combat capabilities remain development targets.

Flying Wedge envisages two principal versions. The approximately 250kg Supreme Lite is intended to test autonomous navigation, flight control and cooperation between aircraft. The larger Supreme Heavy is designed for longer-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, precision strikes and missions conducted alongside other aircraft.

Company specifications for the heavier aircraft describe a flying-wing configuration measuring roughly 10 metres across, with an internal weapons bay and a payload of about 350kg. The proposed maximum speed is Mach 0.8 to 0.85, with cruising speeds of 500 to 600 kilometres an hour.

Flying Wedge also projects a range exceeding 1,500km and endurance of more than two hours, supported by satellite communications. Those figures have not been validated through publicly documented flight trials of the Supreme Heavy. Its propulsion and systems integration will be crucial to determining whether the design can meet them.

The company calls its operating concept the Mobbing Doctrine. It envisages groups of autonomous aircraft exchanging information and coordinating decisions during missions, rather than relying exclusively on individual high-value combat platforms. Under the concept, surviving aircraft would continue assigned tasks if others were lost.

Such coordination would require dependable communications, reliable target identification and systems capable of operating when links are disrupted. Flying Wedge says artificial intelligence will support navigation, sensor processing and mission execution, although the extent of human oversight during weapons employment has not been established in publicly available technical documentation.

Tejaskanda has described affordability and operational relevance as central aims of the programme. The company is also seeking foreign participation in an India-led development and manufacturing initiative called Operation Triple Seven. Details of binding investment commitments, production arrangements and customer orders have not been publicly established.

A Anbarasu, director general for acquisition at the Ministry of Defence, linked the initiative to the government’s emphasis on joint operations, domestic manufacturing and innovation. His remarks signalled policy interest in such technologies but did not amount to confirmation of a procurement contract or an operational requirement for the aircraft.

Flying Wedge has outlined plans to increase domestically sourced components and has identified the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Manik engine as a potential propulsion option. The company has indicated that the proportion of locally sourced content could depend substantially on the engine eventually selected.

Its proposed navigation technologies include visual odometry, which estimates an aircraft’s movement by comparing successive camera images. The approach could supplement conventional satellite navigation where signals are degraded or unavailable, although its effectiveness in military conditions would need to be demonstrated through testing.

The Supreme programme joins international efforts to develop uncrewed aircraft capable of cooperating with piloted fighters or carrying out assigned missions autonomously. Such projects differ widely in maturity, from conceptual designs and ground tests to aircraft already conducting experimental flights. Their development does not establish that fully autonomous combat operations have been approved for routine military use.

Flying Wedge previously released footage of the Supreme Lite technology demonstrator undergoing development and ground preparations. Its earlier target of a first flight during the third quarter of 2026 has passed, making completion of taxi trials the clearest publicly stated milestone ahead of airborne testing.

The company separately develops Kaalbhairav unmanned aircraft and smaller interception and loitering-munition systems. Those products form part of its broader portfolio but should not be confused with the Supreme fighter programme, whose larger aircraft has yet to demonstrate its stated performance in flight.

Flying Wedge operates from Bengaluru’s Electronic City area. Its published product portfolio includes surveillance aircraft, interceptor drones and compact loitering munitions, alongside the proposed Supreme family. The company also lists agricultural unmanned aircraft among its products, reflecting its involvement in civilian applications.

The regulator on Tuesday imposed restrictions covering approximately HK$4.7 billion ($599 million) in assets held through 31 brokerages, while suspending trading in Sichuan Baicha Baidao Industrial Co over concerns that its share offering may have been rigged.

The enforcement action targets two suspected syndicates linked to three listings. Investigators are examining arrangements allegedly designed to create misleading impressions of investor demand and potentially divert proceeds from companies entering the stock market.

The SFC simultaneously issued detailed guidance identifying warning signs, including substantial loans to investors, undisclosed agreements, unusual last-minute subscriptions and concentrated share allocations involving parties connected to listing applicants.

Julia Leung, the commission’s chief executive officer, warned that financial intermediaries must challenge suspicious transactions rather than accept explanations that fail to withstand scrutiny.

The regulator said most market participants complied with applicable rules but stressed that misconduct by a minority could undermine confidence in Hong Kong’s capital markets.

The largest restriction concerns assets worth approximately HK$4.4 billion held through six brokerages and linked to suspected activities surrounding the listings of Baicha and Cloudbreak Pharma.

A separate restriction covers approximately HK$285 million associated with the listing of Tianju Dihe (Suzhou) Technology, involving accounts maintained through 29 brokerages.

Some brokerages received notices covering more than one investigation. The commission emphasised that the brokers themselves were not investigation targets and that restrictions did not affect their other clients.

Michael Duignan, the SFC’s executive director of enforcement, said the measures had significantly disrupted two suspected syndicates potentially involved in IPO manipulation.

The commission has not established criminal wrongdoing in the cases, and investigations remain under way.

Among the practices attracting scrutiny are substantial payments, loans or investments made by newly listed companies to investors or related parties shortly after prospectuses are finalised.

Such transactions can raise questions about whether investors genuinely committed their own capital or received financial support linked to their participation.

The regulator expects sponsoring banks to ensure that prospectuses disclose material financial developments and provide investors with complete, accurate information.

Another warning concerns investors whose subscription commitments appear connected to business cooperation, investment agreements or continuing commercial relationships with company executives.

Bankers have been instructed to investigate unusual orders and determine whether apparent independent investors have undisclosed relationships with issuers.

The commission also identified excessive involvement by listing applicants in selecting investors or directing share allocations as potentially suspicious.

Particular attention should be paid when allocations depart from agreed marketing strategies or favour investors who opened brokerage accounts shortly before an offering.

Large subscription orders submitted immediately before bookbuilding closes represent another warning, especially when their size appears inconsistent with an investor’s financial resources.

The watchdog highlighted arrangements involving derivatives or guaranteed returns that conceal the identities of investors ultimately benefiting from allocated shares.

Multiple accounts controlled by a single party can similarly disguise concentrated ownership and create an exaggerated impression of broad market participation.

Undisclosed commitments negotiated before an IPO are another concern, particularly where companies maintain offering sizes and timetables despite insufficient genuine investor demand.

The commission warned that questionable arrangements could extend beyond flotation dates into trading activities intended to support share prices, maintain market capitalisation or generate artificial turnover.

Such practices could involve concentrated holdings among designated investors and undisclosed understandings governing subsequent transactions.

The intervention comes during a strong year for Hong Kong fundraising, supported by listings from mainland Chinese technology companies, including businesses associated with artificial intelligence.

Regulatory concerns have also extended to the quality of listing applications. The SFC disclosed that 65 applications had been suspended during the first nine months of 2026 because of deficiencies in sponsors’ work.

Hong Kong authorities have been tightening scrutiny of disclosure standards and the resources investment banks devote to preparing flotation documents.

The shorter interval between IPO pricing and trading has added pressure on banks to verify investor identities and investigate questionable orders before allocations are completed.

The SFC nevertheless expects intermediaries to undertake reasonable verification procedures and reject subscriptions that fail regulatory requirements.

The commission has separately proposed stronger enforcement mechanisms targeting corporate misconduct, including additional measures addressing problematic listing transactions.

Baicha, whose trading was suspended on October 13, raised approximately $330 million through its April 2024 flotation. Its shares fell 27 per cent on their trading debut.