Singapore Police Granted Enhanced Powers to Combat Online Scams
On September 9, 2026, Singapore's Parliament passed the Scams (Countermeasures) and Other Matters Bill, significantly bolstering the Singapore Police Force's authority to combat online scams. This legislation empowers the police to issue orders to service providers, including banks and telecommunications companies, to disclose information related to scam activities and to disable accounts suspected of facilitating such offenses.
Under the new law, the police can issue three types of orders:
- Disclosure Orders: Require service providers to furnish information on specified accounts and activities linked to scams.
- Account Disabling Orders: Mandate service providers to disable specific accounts for up to 30 days, with a possible extension, to prevent their use in fraudulent activities.
- Service Limitation Orders: Restrict individuals from accessing certain services for up to three years to prevent exploitation for scam-related purposes.
These measures aim to disrupt the operations of scammers by cutting off their access to essential services and information. The legislation also increases the maximum fine for online service providers that fail to comply with anti-scam directives from $1 million to $10 million, reflecting the government's commitment to holding platforms accountable in the fight against online fraud.
During the parliamentary debate, Members of Parliament raised concerns about the potential for innocent individuals to have their accounts wrongly suspended. In response, authorities assured that safeguards are in place to minimize such occurrences and that affected individuals would have avenues for redress.
The passage of this bill underscores Singapore's proactive approach to addressing the evolving threat of online scams. By granting enhanced powers to law enforcement and imposing stricter regulations on service providers, the government aims to create a safer digital environment for its citizens.