MHA proposes giving police powers to order banks, telcos to share information, disable scam-linked accounts

The list will provide partners with additional information on known scam enablers, such as bank accounts, phone lines, online accounts, as well as the identity of culprits behind the scam enablers. With this, banks can proactively uncover and suspend more potential scam accounts before they are used.

To enable and safeguard scam-related information exchange between the police and service providers, the Bill proposes to allow the police to issue two orders – a disclosure order and an account disabling order – to service providers.

A disclosure order will require a service provider to provide information on specified accounts and scam-related activities, including necessary information to prevent or disrupt scam-related offences.

A service provider issued an account disabling order must disable the specific account or any accounts that meet specified conditions prescribed by the police.

These conditions are scam-related indicators specified by the police to identify accounts that may be facilitating scam-related offences. These offences will be prescribed through the subsidiary legislation, said MHA.

The account subject to the order will be disabled for up to 30 days, and this may be extended once, for up to another 30 days.

Those whose accounts have been disabled can appeal to the commissioner of police – or a designated officer of or above the rank of superintendent, or the equivalent. The order will remain in effect while the appeal is being considered.