Singapore – The Singapore government is set to introduce a new law granting police the authority to freeze the bank accounts of individuals suspected of being involved in scams, including those who continue to transfer funds to fraudsters.

The proposed "Anti-Scam Act" was tabled in Parliament on Monday as part of a broader effort to combat the rising tide of digital fraud in the city-state. If passed, Singapore would become the first country in the world to empower law enforcement to restrict the bank accounts of victims who stubbornly refuse to acknowledge they have been scammed, despite overwhelming evidence.

Under the new legislation, police would be able to issue a "restriction order" to banks, preventing individuals from making transfers or withdrawing cash from ATMs, if they believe the person is likely to transfer funds to suspected scammers or if such a measure is necessary to protect the victim.

These orders would be specifically designed for scams perpetrated through digital and communication channels, such as phone calls and text messages, and would be valid for up to 30 days, with the possibility of five renewals, extending the maximum duration to six months.

Individuals subject to these restrictions would still be able to access their accounts for legitimate purposes, such as paying bills or purchasing essential goods. Police would be required to revoke the order before the 30-day period ends if they determine that the risk of fraud has subsided.

The government has emphasized that restriction orders would be used as a last resort, implemented only when all other attempts to persuade victims have failed. The Ministry of Home Affairs reported that Singaporeans lose approximately S$2 million (US$1.5 million) to scams every day.

Despite various preventive measures, the ministry revealed that 86% of scam victims reported in the first half of this year had voluntarily transferred funds to fraudsters, with some even persisting in doing so even after being warned by the police, family members, or banks.

A public consultation held in August and September found that over 90% of respondents supported the proposed legislation. However, some critics have raised concerns about government overreach, arguing that individuals should be held accountable for their own actions rather than being subjected to state intervention.