Singapore Enacts New Law Allowing Police to Block Suspected Victim Transactions and Restrict Bank Access

Singapore’s new Protection from Scams Act came into effect on July 1, enabling police to order banks to block transactions if they suspect individuals are being targeted by scammers, even if the victims themselves remain unconvinced.

Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs’ notification about the Protection from Scams Act

Under the news law, police can restrict a potential victim's access to ATMs and credit services. Victims retain limited access to funds for essential expenses, but only at the discretion of the police, Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed.

The law targets a recurring challenge: scam victims who disregard warnings and continue to transfer money. Police can control a potential victim's bank account for up to 30 days, renewable up to five times if necessary.

Responding to concerns over potential abuse of power, MHA clarified that such orders are issued only after exhausting attempts to convince victims, and decisions will be grounded in the facts offered by victims and their family members.

The legislation complements existing anti-scam measures in Singapore, such as account lockdown features introduced in 2023 and an emergency "kill switch" for freezing of compromised accounts. 

Scams remain a growing problem in Singapore. Among the most prevalent scams in Singapore are bogus job offers, fake investment schemes, e-commerce fraud, and romance scams.

According to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), scam losses in 2024 exceeded S$1.1 billion, with reported cases rising from 50,376 in 2023 to 55,810.