Singapore cracks down on online scams with new laws
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Singapore’s government passed the Scams (Countermeasures) and Other Matters Bill on September 9, making it illegal for people to supply online accounts used in criminal activity. Individuals convicted of providing these accounts could face up to three years in jail, a fine of up to $10,000, and caning, up to 12 strokes.
The new legislation builds on existing laws targeting money mules and those who provide SIM cards or Singpass accounts for scams.
The government also increased the maximum financial penalty for online platforms that fail to follow anti-scam rules to $10 million, the highest amount in Singapore’s legal code. Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Goh Pei Ming explained this increase would adequately deter non-compliance from online platforms given the scale of harm caused by online scams. The daily fine for ongoing offenses also rose, from $100,000 to $300,000. Police will now use artificial intelligence to help combat scams.
They can issue orders to service providers, including banks, telecommunication companies, and online platforms, to disclose information, disable suspect accounts for up to 60 days, or limit services to individuals for up to three years. These measures aim to disrupt scams before victims lose money, leveraging the National Scams List to identify and suspend potential scam accounts.
Members of Parliament expressed concern for those who might be inadvertently affected by the new laws, and Goh Pei Ming assured them that appeals and recourse would be available.
