Police Empowered to Freeze Accounts of Scam Victims in Singapore Starting July 1
SINGAPORE — Starting July 1, Singapore police will have the legal authority to restrict the bank accounts of scam victims who refuse to accept they are being scammed, even when presented with compelling evidence. The new powers come under the Protection from Scams Act, passed in Parliament earlier this year, and are aimed at helping authorities better protect individuals from financial fraud.
With this Act taking effect, police can issue restriction orders (ROs) directly to banks, limiting the ability of affected individuals to carry out transactions from their accounts. This includes blocking the use of ATMs, online banking, credit facilities, and in-person transactions at bank branches. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said these measures will prevent victims from sending more money to scammers, effectively interrupting ongoing fraud attempts.
Importantly, ROs will still allow victims to access funds for legitimate daily needs such as paying utility bills and buying groceries. The MHA emphasised that ROs will be used only after all attempts to convince victims have failed, and they will serve as a last resort to protect individuals from further losses.
Decision Based on Case-by-Case Assessment
The police will make decisions to issue ROs based on careful assessments of each case’s facts and circumstances. Once issued, ROs will initially remain in effect for up to 30 days but can be renewed up to five times, allowing them to last for a maximum of six months if necessary. Should circumstances change, the police may cancel an RO early if the victim is deemed no longer at risk of being scammed.
For accountability, individuals subjected to an RO will have the right to appeal the decision directly to the Commissioner of Police. However, the Commissioner’s decision on the matter will be final, with no further avenues for appeal.
Banks Ready to Support Scam Prevention Efforts
By default, ROs will be applied to Singapore’s seven major retail banks — OCBC, DBS, UOB, Maybank, Standard Chartered, Citibank, and HSBC — but authorities can extend orders to other banks if required. This coordinated approach aims to close loopholes that scammers exploit across financial institutions.
The MHA highlighted that the police could issue 10 or more ROs each month, based on historical cases where efforts to stop victims from transferring money to scammers were unsuccessful. The Act empowers the police to intervene proactively, marking a significant shift in Singapore’s fight against online scams and financial fraud.
Residents concerned about scams or suspicious banking activity are encouraged to contact the Anti-Scam Helpline or visit the Scam Alert website for advice on protecting their finances.