Singapore police can now seize bank accounts to stop scams
Singapore has seen a worsening problem with scams, which surged to a record S$1.1 billion ($860m; £630m) in 2024 in the island-state.
The law was passed earlier this year by lawmakers, though some members of parliament have described the measure as intrusive.
The move is aimed at addressing a common issue faced by the police where victims often refuse to believe they are being scammed despite warnings, authorities have said.
Police in Singapore can now seize control of a person's bank account and block money transfers if they suspect the person is being scammed, under a new law that kicked in on Tuesday.
Under the new Protection from Scams Act, the police can order banks to block a potential victim from making transactions if they suspect the person is being scammed.
Police can also block a potential victim's use of ATMs and credit services.
The decision can be taken by a police officer even if the potential victim does not believe warnings that they are being scammed.
The bank account owner will still have access to his funds for legitimate reasons, such as to pay for their daily expenses and bills, but can only use their money at the discretion of the police, according to Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The MHA has said that a potential victim's bank account can be controlled by the police for up to 30 days at a time, with the option for a maximum of five extensions if more time is needed.
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