MP Elysa Chen suggests redistributing anti-scam fines collected from platforms to victims under 'spirit of fairness'
She also gave suggestions to protect people who get genuinely misled or coerced into becoming a scam mule.
On September 9, MP Elysa Chen called for the redistribution of fines collected from non-compliant online platforms to scam victims as part of a fairer justice system. During the Parliamentary debate on the Scams (Countermeasures) and Other Matters Bill, Chen suggested that the fine money should be redirected to those who fall victim to the scams the platforms were fined for.
Currently, fines are paid to the state rather than the victims. Chen expressed frustration over the persistence of scams, likening them to "zombies" that recur rapidly. She shared stories of scam victims, including a widow who lost large sums to a scammer who claimed to be investing money for her family. Chen highlighted the need to prevent scammers from victimizing the most vulnerable and questioned the presumption that individuals are reasonable in believing their accounts will not be misused.
She proposed a review process outside the police and warned against restricting SingPass access for scam mules, as it could cut them off from essential services. The government assured that SingPass restrictions would only apply to services at higher risk of exploitation for scams.
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