Positive Outcomes from Restriction Orders Issued since July 2025 and Expanding Scope to Other Financial Service Providers

7 Mr Alex Yeo asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many Restriction Orders have been issued since the Protection from Scams Act took effect on 1 July 2025; (b) how many Restriction Orders resulted in positive outcomes; and (c) what is the status of the Ministry's review on whether the scope of Restriction Orders will be expanded to entities, such as (i) cryptocurrency exchanges, (ii) remittance companies or (iii) e-wallet providers.

Mr K Shanmugam: As of 15 February 2026, 12 Restriction Orders (ROs) have been issued. Of these, one had been lifted as the individual was assessed to no longer be at risk of transferring money to the scammer, two had ceased as they had reached the statutory maximum of five extensions, while nine remain in effect.

ROs apply only to bank accounts and credit facilities, which are the primary means by which individuals may access funds and transfer money to scammers. There is no need to expand the scope of ROs to other payment channels for now, as the restrictions on bank accounts and credit facilities already significantly reduce the risk of the victims transferring money to the scammers. We will continue to work with the Monetary Authority of Singapore to monitor the scam situation and consider expanding the scope of the RO, if necessary.