Protection from Scams Act Singapore: What You Need to Know in 2025

Singapore's First Landmark Anti-Scam Law

In January 2025, Singapore passed the Protection from Scams Act — the country's first comprehensive legislation designed specifically to combat the rising tide of scam-related financial losses. The Act became effective in July 2025, giving law enforcement powerful new tools to intervene before victims lose their life savings.

Before this legislation, police often watched helplessly as scam victims — convinced by sophisticated criminals — transferred money despite warnings. Now, officers have legal authority to act.

What Are Restriction Orders (ROs)?

The centerpiece of the Protection from Scams Act is the Restriction Order (RO). This gives police the power to restrict certain activities of individuals believed to be scam victims — or suspected money mules.

What an RO Can Do

Restriction	Purpose
Freeze bank accounts	Prevent further transfers to scammers
Restrict SIM card usage	Block scammer communication channels
Limit SingPass access	Prevent identity misuse

Key Details About ROs

• Duration: Initially valid for up to 30 days, with the option for renewal
• Targets: Both scam victims (to prevent further transfers) and suspected money mules
• Appeals: Anyone subject to an RO can appeal to a Review Panel
• Scope: Covers banking transactions across all Singapore-licensed financial institutions

New Criminal Offences

The Act also creates specific criminal offences that target the infrastructure of scam operations:

SIM Card Misuse

• Lending or selling your SIM card to others for use in scams now carries criminal penalties
• Fines and imprisonment apply
• Targets the supply chain of disposable phone numbers used by scam syndicates

SingPass Credential Sharing

• Sharing, lending, or selling SingPass credentials is now a criminal offence
• Penalties include fines and imprisonment
• Addresses the growing problem of identity fraud through compromised SingPass accounts

How the Act Works in Practice

Here's a typical scenario:

1. Detection: Police identify that a person is likely being scammed (e.g., they're about to transfer a large sum to an unknown overseas account)
2. Intervention: Officers issue a Restriction Order
3. Protection: The victim's bank account is frozen, preventing further transfers
4. Investigation: Police investigate and help the victim understand they've been targeted
5. Resolution: Once the threat is resolved, restrictions are lifted

Complementing Existing Anti-Scam Measures

The Protection from Scams Act doesn't work in isolation. It builds on Singapore's existing anti-scam ecosystem:

• ScamShield app — filters and blocks scam calls and messages
• Anti-Scam Centre (ASC) — rapid response to freeze scam-related accounts
• Bank safeguards — multi-factor authentication, transaction delays for large transfers
• Public education campaigns — ongoing awareness through media and community outreach

What This Means for Everyday Singaporeans

For the Average Citizen

• Your bank account can be frozen if police believe you're being scammed — this is protective, not punitive
• You have the right to appeal any Restriction Order
• Never share your SIM card or SingPass with anyone — it's now a criminal offence

For Businesses

• Financial institutions must comply with ROs immediately
• Telecoms must restrict SIM cards as directed
• Enhanced due diligence requirements for suspicious transactions

Protecting Yourself Beyond the Law

While the Protection from Scams Act provides a safety net, prevention is always better than intervention. Here are practical steps:

Verify Before You Trust

Action	Why It Matters
Call back on official numbers	Scammers spoof caller IDs
Check ScamShield	Database of known scam numbers
Never share OTPs	No legitimate organization will ask for them
Use password-protected links	Prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information

Secure Your Communications

When sharing sensitive information — whether it's financial details, personal documents, or confidential business data — use tools that add layers of protection. Services like LOCK.PUB let you create password-protected links that ensure only intended recipients can access your content.

The Bigger Picture

Singapore's Protection from Scams Act is part of a global trend toward more aggressive anti-scam legislation. As scams become more sophisticated — using AI, deepfakes, and social engineering — laws need to evolve too.

The key innovation here is the proactive approach: rather than just prosecuting scammers after the fact, police can now intervene to protect victims in real-time. Combined with tools like ScamShield and secure sharing platforms such as LOCK.PUB, Singaporeans have multiple layers of defense against an increasingly dangerous scam landscape.

Key Takeaways

• The Protection from Scams Act was passed in January 2025 and took effect in July 2025
• Police can now issue Restriction Orders to freeze accounts, restrict SIM cards, and limit SingPass access
• ROs last up to 30 days and are appealable
• Selling or lending SIM cards and SingPass credentials is now a criminal offence
• The Act complements existing measures like ScamShield and bank safeguards
• Always verify identities, never share OTPs, and use secure channels like LOCK.PUB for sensitive information sharing

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Stay safe online — and remember that legitimate organizations will never ask you to transfer money over the phone or share your OTP.