With the scam situation getting worse here each year, the authorities are now preparing to take some intrusive measures to combat the scourge.
With the Protection from Scams Bill introduced in Parliament yesterday, Singapore may soon be the first in the world to give the police powers to control the bank accounts of stubborn scam victims, who insist they are not being scammed despite the evidence showing they are.
The Bill proposes allowing the police to issue restriction orders (ROs) to banks, which will then restrict the banking transactions of an individual’s accounts.
These include money transfers, the use of ATM facilities and all credit facilities, affecting even PayNow and in-person over-the-counter transactions.
The police have said one of the biggest challenges they face is convincing people that they are victims of a scam.
Currently, the police cannot stop victims from doing what they want with their money, even if they are suspected of being scammed.
Scam numbers hit record highs in the first half of 2024, with more than S$385.6mil (RM1.27bil) lost in 26,587 reported cases.
If the Bill is passed, police officers may issue an RO to a bank if they believe the victim will transfer money to the scammer, or if it is necessary to protect the victim.
ROs will take effect for up to 30 days at a time but can be extended for up to five times, which means they can last for up to six months.
The police can cancel an RO ahead of the 30-day limit if the individual is assessed to be no longer at risk of being scammed.
Appeals against the RO can be made to the Commissioner of Police, whose decision will be final.
The ROs will be issued for only scam cases that involve cheating done largely through digital and telecommunication channels like calls and text messages.
However, it will not cover traditional cheating cases typically involving in-person interactions like those with errant renovation contractors or family members and friends.
The Home Affairs Ministry said the RO will be issued only as a last resort, after other options to convince the scam victim have been exhausted.
It added that individuals subjected to an RO will still have access to money for legitimate reasons such as paying bills and buying daily essentials like groceries.
They can apply to the police for access to a fixed amount of money, and for more money by showing proof such as their bills. — The Straits Times/ANN
