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Trend Micro Study Reveals Singaporeans’ Dangerous Misconceptions about Scams

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Many believe scams are easily spotted or avoided; false sense of security leaves consumers exposed to growing risks

SINGAPORE, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Singaporean consumers have a false sense of security around online scams, as revealed in a recent study by Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global leader in cybersecurity. Half of Singapore consumers (50%) are confident in their ability to easily identify scams by looking for grammar or spelling errors, and majority (70%) believe they are safe from text message scams if they avoid clicking on suspicious links. However, scams have evolved significantly—cybercriminals now leverage AI, deepfakes, and advanced social engineering tactics to launch more compelling scams that are much harder to detect.

Scam losses in Singapore reached a record high of S$1.1 billion in 2024, a surge of over 70% compared to the previous year. Yet, many Singaporean consumers continue to underestimate the risks they face by simply being online. More than two in five (42%) think they are only at risk if they overshare online, while nearly four in five (77%) believe they can only be extorted if they share explicit content online. However, given the increasing prevalence of data breaches, Singaporean consumers face a growing risk of losing their personal data to cybercriminals through private channels. This exposes Singaporean consumers to a variety of crimes—from identity theft and impersonation scams to fraud—even without having shared any sensitive information publicly.

The survey further revealed that only 15% of respondents have a secret word or phrase to verify family or friends in emergencies, showing a clear gap between scam awareness and preparedness. This may stem from misconceptions about scam vulnerability; despite younger adults being equally at risk, nearly one in four (24%) still believe only older, less tech-savvy individuals are targeted.

Ashley Millar, Consumer Education Director at Trend Micro: “As cybercriminals adopt AI and other advanced technologies, many consumers remain misinformed about the full extent of the risks they face. At Trend Micro, we’re committed to empowering individuals with tools like Trend Micro ScamCheck to detect emerging threats and protect their data. Education and vigilance are key—consumers must actively stay informed to prevent falling victim to increasingly sophisticated scams.”

Cybercriminals continue to employ increasingly aggressive techniques to target consumers of all ages worldwide. Trend has committed to addressing this problem through:

Innovation: Trend Micro ScamCheck helps consumers identify potential scams and growing AI threats like deepfakes.Education: Since 2008, Trend has reached over 5 million people through its curriculum and events. The company will kick off a new webinar series starting early March 2025 dedicated to the issue of fighting scams.Collaboration: Trend is the first foundation partner of GASA and will be a thought leadership sponsor at GASA Summits worldwide in 2025.

Trend’s research was conducted from January 27–February 5 among 1021 consumers in Singapore.

*Global State of Scams Report 2024 – GASA

About Trend Micro 
Trend Micro, a global cybersecurity leader, helps make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Fueled by decades of security expertise, global threat research, and continuous innovation, Trend Micro’s AI-powered cybersecurity platform protects hundreds of thousands of organizations and millions of individuals across clouds, networks, devices, and endpoints. As a leader in cloud and enterprise cybersecurity, Trend’s platform delivers a powerful range of advanced threat defense techniques optimized for environments like AWS, Microsoft, and Google, and central visibility for better, faster detection and response. With 7,000 employees across 70 countries, Trend Micro enables organizations to simplify and secure their connected world. www.TrendMicro.com.

 

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HSBC Mutual Fund launches ‘RedHex SIF,’ its specialized investment platform in India

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MUMBAI, India, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HSBC Mutual Fund has announced the launch of RedHex SIF, it’s dedicated Specialized Investment Fund (SIF) brand in India. The launch marks a significant step in expanding its investment offerings aimed at meeting the evolving needs of investors, seeking more focused and outcome-oriented strategies within a familiar and regulated investment framework.

RedHex SIF by HSBC Mutual Fund, a SEBI approved investment structure, is designed for investors who want greater portfolio flexibility than traditional mutual funds while continuing to benefit from the transparency, governance, and ease associated with the mutual fund structure. RedHex SIF aims to help investors access specialised opportunities through differentiated strategies, while maintaining robust oversight and risk discipline.

Commenting on the launch, Kailash Kulkarni, CEO, HSBC Mutual Fund said, “RedHex SIF is our innovation-led platform for investors seeking differentiated, outcome-oriented strategies, anchored in the trusted mutual fund framework. As markets evolve, we believe alpha will increasingly come from adaptability, risk awareness and differentiated thinking across shifting cycles. We are expanding our product suite in a considered manner, giving investors greater choice, confidence, and access to thoughtfully constructed solutions that meet these evolving market expectations and long-term investment goals.”

Features of RedHex SIF:

₹10 lakh Minimum Investment Threshold: Suitable for experienced, institutional, and HNI investorsFocused investment strategies: Built around clearly defined themes and ideas for precise portfolio constructionTransparency and Flexibility: A familiar mutual fund structure combined with strategic flexibility of advanced investment solutionsRisk-Aware approach: Strong emphasis on risk management and portfolio stability.Built for Evolving needs: More focused, outcome-oriented approach

Notes to the editor:

HSBC Asset Management

HSBC Asset Management should be referred to either in full or as HSBC AM to avoid confusion with any other financial services firms.

HSBC Asset Management, the investment management business of the HSBC Group, invests on behalf of HSBC’s worldwide customer base of retail and private clients, intermediaries, corporates and institutions through both segregated accounts and pooled funds. HSBC Asset Management connects HSBC’s clients with investment opportunities around the world through an international network of offices in 20 countries and territories, delivering global capabilities with local market insight. As at 31 December 2025, HSBC Asset Management managed assets totalling US$866bn (excluding HSBC Jintrust Fund Management Company Limited) on behalf of its clients.

For more information, visit http://www.global.assetmanagement.hsbc.com/ 

HSBC Asset Management is the brand name for the asset management businesses of HSBC Holdings plc.

HSBC India

HSBC India offers a full range of banking and financial services through 31 branches across 19 cities. The Bank is at the forefront in arranging deals for Indian companies investing overseas and foreign investments into the country. HSBC is one of India’s leading financial services groups, with over 47,000 employees in its banking, investment banking and capital markets, asset management, insurance, software development and global resourcing operations in the country. It is a leading custodian in India. 

HSBC Holdings plc

HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 56 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,233bn at 31 December 2025, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations.

Source: HSBC Asset Management India (HSBC Asset Management (India) Private Limited).

Document intended for distribution in Indian jurisdiction only and not for outside India or to NRIs. HSBC AMC will not be liable for any breach if accessed by anyone outside India. For more details, click here.

Investments in Specialized Investment Fund involves relatively higher risk including potential loss of capital, liquidity risk and market volatility. Please read all investment strategy related documents carefully before making the investment decision.

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XRP Healthcare Confirms “One Ecosystem, Two Layers” Model as XRPHAI Rewards Go Live on XRPL Following Successful MEXC Listing

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XRP Healthcare today confirmed the full activation of its unified “One Ecosystem, Two Layers” model, following the successful rollout of both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of its XRPHAI rewards system and the initial public listing of $XRPHAI on the MEXC exchange.

DUBAI, UAE, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — XRP Healthcare is the first AI healthcare platform built on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), integrating artificial intelligence, blockchain infrastructure, and real-world healthcare access into a single, interoperable system.

The update follows the successful initial public listing of $XRPHAI on MEXC, establishing open market access and price discovery for the ecosystem. Live market data and project information are available at: https://www.mexc.com/price/XRPHAI

The XRPH AI App and XRPH Wallet now operate as one connected ecosystem, where users engage, earn, and transact within a unified framework.

Within the XRPH AI App, users earn XRPHAI instantly through verified healthcare-related activity, including AI-driven health assessments, wellness sessions, symptom analysis, and ongoing participation across the platform. This is delivered through XRP Healthcare’s Proof of Health™️ model, where Rewards for Healthy Actions are directly linked to real engagement.

The rewards system operates on a defined dual-token structure, where XRPHAI powers participation and rewards, and XRPH functions as the infrastructure layer and reward multiplier. Users holding XRPHAI increase their participation within the rewards system, while users holding XRPH further amplify their earning capacity through tier-based reward allocation. This structure ensures that engagement and token alignment directly determine reward output.

Kain Roomes, Founder and CEO of XRP Healthcare, said: “We have now brought together application, rewards, and infrastructure into one connected system. Users can engage with the XRPH AI App, earn XRPHAI through real activity, and benefit from a model that links participation directly to value.”

Laban Roomes, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of XRP Healthcare, added: “This update confirms the transition from concept to a working ecosystem. The integration of XRPHAI rewards with XRPH infrastructure creates a clear structure where engagement, token participation, and utility operate together.”

At the infrastructure level, the XRPH Wallet now operates as a blockchain payment rail for XRP, XRPH, and RLUSD, enabling transactions across pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals without requiring the transmission of sensitive patient data. This establishes a direct bridge between digital rewards and real-world healthcare services.

XRP Healthcare confirmed that XRPHAI has a maximum supply of one billion (1,000,000,000) tokens, with only one hundred million (100,000,000) tokens currently in circulation. The issuing address has been permanently disabled (“blackholed”), meaning no additional tokens can ever be minted. Token supply data is publicly verifiable via CoinMarketCap. Full tokenomics are available in the XRP Healthcare Whitepaper at:

https://www.xrphealthcare.ai/whitepaper

Global smartphone adoption continues to expand, with more than 6.8 billion smartphone users worldwide, with the majority of new growth occurring in emerging markets. As device affordability improves and connectivity increases, mobile platforms are becoming the primary gateway to digital services. The XRPH AI App and XRPH Wallet are designed to operate within this environment, enabling users to access AI-driven healthcare support and earn XRPHAI in seconds directly from their mobile devices.

The company reported strong early engagement with the XRPH AI Rewards System, particularly across regions where access to traditional healthcare infrastructure is limited, reinforcing the platform’s role in expanding access to healthcare services through a mobile-first model.

In parallel, XRP Healthcare continues to integrate real-world utility through its Prescription Savings Card, accepted at more than 68,000 pharmacies across the United States, including Walmart, Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Rite Aid, and Safeway. This enables users to access discounted medications while participating in the broader ecosystem.

The XRPH AI Rewards System and XRPH infrastructure will continue to expand through ongoing updates, including enhanced reward tier visualisation, additional earning mechanisms, and further integrations across both digital and physical healthcare environments. XRP Healthcare will also pursue additional exchange listings to support broader market access and liquidity, while exploring strategic partnerships aligned with its platform expansion.

Further information on the XRPH AI Rewards System is available at: https://www.xrphealthcare.ai/

A detailed breakdown of how to earn, unlock, and boost XRPHAI rewards can be accessed here: https://www.xrphealthcare.ai/blog/understanding-the-xrph-ai-rewards-system-how-to-earn-unlock-and-boost-xrphai

Additional details on the XRPH infrastructure layer can be accessed at: https://xrphtoken.com/infrastructure

About XRP Healthcare

XRP Healthcare is the first AI healthcare platform built on the XRP Ledger, developing a mobile-first ecosystem that integrates artificial intelligence, blockchain infrastructure, and real-world healthcare services to expand access globally.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding platform expansion, infrastructure development, and ecosystem growth. Actual results may vary as ongoing updates and integrations are implemented.

Media Contact
Sarah James
info@xrphealthcare.com 

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Consello Appoints Olivia Pirovano as Global Chief Strategy Officer

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Pirovano brings more than two decades of international experience across strategy, operations, and asset management to support Consello’s growing advisory capabilities

LONDON, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Consello, the leading global advisory and investment platform, today announced the appointment of Olivia Pirovano as Global Chief Strategy Officer. In this role, Pirovano will help shape the firm’s global strategy and advise clients on their most important priorities as part of Consello’s integrated advisory platform.

Pirovano joins Consello as the firm continues to expand its leadership team to meet growing demand from CEOs and boards for senior, operator-led advice. She brings more than two decades of experience, having advised some of the world’s largest companies on mergers and acquisitions and investor relations, and worked across North and South America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Over the course of her career, Pirovano has built a track record of helping organizations navigate complex challenges, drive operational transformation and accelerate growth across sectors and markets. She most recently served as the Global Head of Strategic Initiatives at Teneo and previously served as President of African Innovations, a payments processing solutions company. Earlier in her career, she led the Market Intelligence Research Team and served as Director of Strategy and Communications at Financial Dynamics.

Pirovano will be based in Consello’s London office.

About Consello

Consello is an Advisory and Investing Platform with offices in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Dublin, Belfast, London and Abu Dhabi.

Consello’s distinct advisory practices provide the complete strategic counsel today’s leaders need to grow and transform their organizations. Consello’s advisory expertise spans Corporate Advisory; M&A; Management Consulting; Talent; Risk; and Sports and Entertainment. Dedicated teams operate in each practice, led by a leadership group with deep operational experience across industries, business growth stages and market cycles and with an expansive set of global corporate relationships.

Consello’s investment business, Consello Capital, identifies high-potential mid-market companies and invests capital and expertise to transform their growth.

Consello Media Inquiries

media@consello.com

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