Singapore police can now seize bank accounts to stop scams

Singapore has introduced a new law that allows police to take control of a person's bank account if they suspect the person is being targeted by scammers. This law, which started on Tuesday, is designed to help people who might not realize they are being scammed, even after being warned by the authorities. The government hopes this will help reduce the growing number of scam cases in the country, which have caused people to lose a record S$1. 1 billion in 2024.

The new law is called the Protection from Scams Act. It gives police the power to order banks to block a person's ability to make transactions if they believe the person is at risk of being scammed. Police can also stop people from using ATMs or credit services. This can happen even if the person does not believe they are being scammed. The Ministry of Home Affairs says that people will still be able to use their money for important things like paying bills or buying groceries, but only with police approval. The police can control the account for up to 30 days at a time, and they can extend this period up to five times if needed.

Some members of parliament have raised concerns about the law, saying it could be too intrusive and give too much power to the police. They suggested that people should be able to opt out of the law or choose someone else to freeze their account instead of the authorities. However, supporters of the law argue that it is necessary to protect people from losing large amounts of money to scams. The Ministry of Home Affairs says the police will only use this power as a last resort, after trying other ways to warn the person.

Scams have become a serious problem in Singapore. The number of reported scam cases has increased from about 15,600 in 2020 to more than 50,000 in 2024. Common scams include fake job offers, investment scams, and online shopping fraud, where people pay for items they never receive. There are also romance scams, where criminals build fake relationships online and then ask for money.

To fight scams, Singapore has introduced other measures as well. Since 2023, bank customers can lock a portion of their money so it cannot be transferred online. Most banks also have an emergency 'kill switch' that lets customers freeze their accounts immediately if they think their account has been compromised.

The new law is the latest step in Singapore's efforts to protect people from scams. While some people are worried about the potential for abuse of power, many believe the law is necessary to stop the growing problem of scams and to help keep people's money safe.