In more detail
The Bill was passed on 7 January 2025 after its Second Reading and following public consultation efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The Bill generally retains its original shape. For more details, you can refer to our earlier client alert of November 2024.
One notable change is that the powers under the Bill will also be extended to traditional cheating cases. Although the Bill was first introduced to primarily protect victims from remote scams, the police have observed that scammers may also incorporate physical interaction to enhance their deception. The Bill now resolves any ambiguity as to whether Restraining Orders (ROs) to a bank can be issued in such cases. However, the threshold to issue ROs in these cases will be higher and will only occur in exceptional circumstances when there is clear and incontrovertible evidence of a relevant offense.
Further information is available on the Ministry of Home Affairs' website.
Key takeaways
The Bill complements existing societal measures to combat scams in Singapore. By introducing powers for authorities to intervene decisively and prevent further scam losses, the Bill enhances the safety of members of the public who may be targeted by scams.
For further information and to discuss what this might mean for you, please get in touch with your usual Baker McKenzie contact.
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