Help scam victims and families figure out the next steps: Forum

The Government is building an arsenal of measures to combat scams (Singapore considering caning as punishment for some scam offences, March 4).

However, a recent encounter with a victim of a cryptocurrency scam made me realise that more can be done. 

Initially, despite his family’s advice, the person did not believe he was involved in a scam and persisted in borrowing and transferring funds for his alleged investment. It was only after the application he was using demanded payment of taxes that he realised he had been scammed.

Families welcome the passing of the Protection from Scams Bill, enabling the police to issue orders to banks to stop people who refuse to believe they are scam victims from accessing their funds.

However, an individual can presumably apply for loans from licensed moneylenders. I hope the Ministry of Home Affairs will consider expanding the scope of the restriction order to other entities.

The effects of a scam are often suffered not only by the victim, but also by the family. Given the prevalence of scams, it would be good to have a central online resource to help the victim and his family figure out the next steps.

These go beyond filing a police report. There are other issues to be addressed, such as how the debts should be settled, exercising caution with fund recovery services, and emotional support for the victim and his family. 

If scam cases continue to increase despite the Government’s efforts, perhaps a more radical solution could be to train professional ethical scam baiters, who deliberately engage with scammers by pretending to be victims.

These scam baiters can gather intelligence and share it with the authorities. They can also use social media to educate the public, by showing their interactions with scammers and exposing their tactics.

This may be a more effective method of raising awareness compared with static advertisements. Safeguards should be in place to ensure their anonymity and that they do not exceed ethical and legal boundaries. 

Lim Ruo Lin 

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

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