Jamus Lim on Protection from Scams Bill

The Protection from Scams Bill is the Government's latest legislative effort to tackle the scourge of scams, said MP Jamus Lim. The key idea is the granting of powers to issue Restriction Orders (ROs) to banks as a last-ditch effort by the police to prevent scams. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (Jan 7), Assoc Prof Lim wondered if the definition of scams covered by the Bill alone is sufficient given the eroding distinction between fraud and scams. In light of how the Bill represents a “significant intrusion into private transactions”, he wondered if there is room to further constrain the specific application of ROs. He pointed out that the blurring of lines between scams and fraud means that efforts to tackle the scourge require more innovative mechanisms that account for human psychology and behaviour. The ROs put forward by the Bill are “one way forward”, he added. Assoc Prof Lim said he had expressed some reservations over their intrusiveness and hopes that there will be some exit option for those who insist on opting out. He urged the Government to continue to refine the Shared Responsibility Framework to build an ecosystem that is more resilient to scams and fraud.