Scams (Countermeasures) and Other Matters Bill 2026

The Ministry of Home Affairs introduced the Scams (Countermeasures) and Other Matters Bill for First Reading in Parliament on 4 August 2026. The Bill proposes amendments to the Protection from Scams Act, Online Criminal Harms Act and other legislation to detect, disrupt and deter scams. It is not yet law; the MHA release describes proposals at First Reading and says more details will be provided at Second Reading (MHA, 4 August 2026).

Information exchange and account orders

The Bill would support scam-related information exchange between the Police and service providers through the planned National Scams List, being developed by HTX and the Police. It would empower the Police to issue a Disclosure Order for information about specified accounts or scam-related activity, and an Account Disabling Order requiring a service provider to disable a specified account or accounts meeting prescribed disabling conditions. An account under an Account Disabling Order could be disabled for up to 30 days, with one extension of up to another 30 days; affected persons could appeal to the Commissioner of Police, with the order remaining in effect during the appeal (MHA, 4 August 2026).

Service restrictions and online-account offences

The Bill would strengthen the Facility Restriction Framework by allowing the Police to issue a Service Limitation Order requiring a provider to restrict services to an identified person for counter-scam purposes. Restrictions on scam-enabling services could last up to 3 years, subject to an appeal route to the Commissioner of Police. The Bill would also create offences involving the unlawful provision of personal information for criminal online-account registration, possession of accounts registered using another person's information for criminal activity, and supplying or receiving online accounts for criminal activity. The proposed offences apply to online accounts offered by online services designated under the Online Criminal Harms Act.

Online Criminal Harms Act and other amendments

For designated online-service providers, the Bill would allow Online Criminal Harms Act directions to be issued using a computer programme and would introduce financial penalties for each instance of non-compliance with Codes of Practice or Implementation Directives. The Competent Authority could impose a penalty of up to S$10 million per instance or direct rectification through a Rectification Notice or Compliance Order. Failure to comply with those rectification directions would also carry proposed criminal penalties, including up to S$10 million and, for a continuing offence, up to S$300,000 for each day or part of a day after conviction (MHA, 4 August 2026).

The Bill also proposes amendments supporting Police operations, including information requests needed to notify people affected by Restriction Orders and the appointment of Civilian Specialist Officers with specified investigation powers. These proposals should not be confused with powers already in force: until enacted and commenced, the Bill does not itself create a current general power to disable every suspected account or impose every proposed penalty.