A panel of experts has recommended at least six months in prison for those who permit the use of their bank accounts or Singpass qualifications to swindle money in SINGAPORE.
The Sentencing Advisory Panel issued the guidelines for starting sentences for six fraud-related offenses on Wednesday ( Aug 21 ), which it claimed are intended to guide court proceedings and are not binding.
It advises that those who transfer control of their bank accounts to another person been imprisoned for at least six months without taking “reasonable steps” to investigate the person’s intention to access, run, or command the bank account.
Now, the word for this crime is a fine of up to S$ 50, 000 or up to three years ‘ prison, or both.
The panel also advises that those who reveal their Singpass certificates serve at least six months in prison. The latest word for this crime is a fine of up to S$ 10,000 or three-year prison, or both.
The instructions come amid rising concern about schemes, said the panel. It pointed out that over the past five years, there have been more than seven reported fraud cases and a quadrupled amount of scam losses.
In 2023, there were 46, 563 fraud circumstances, an boost of 46.8 per share from 2022, said the panel. However, the total amount of money lost by fraud patients in 2023 came away to S$ 651.8 million.
For similar offenses, the board made four more recommendations.
Crime: Unintentionally handing over control of one’s bank accounts to another person
- Recommended: At least 6 months’ prisons
- Recent word: Up to S$ 150, 000 good, or up to three years ‘ prison, or both
Crime:  , Impulsively handing over control of one’s bank accounts to another man
- Recommended: At least 12 months’ prisons
- Recent word: Up to S$ 250, 000 good, or up to five years ‘ prison, or both
Offense: Giving control of one’s bank account to another man while knowing or having cause to believe that doing so would help them retain their legal gains
- Recommended: At least 18 months’ prison
- Recent word: Up to S$ 500, 000 good, or up to 10 years ‘ prison, or both
Crime:  , Disclosing another child’s Singpass certificates
- Recommended: At least 12 months’ prisons
- Recent word for first-time violators: Up to S$ 10, 000 good, or up to three years ‘ prison, or both
- Recent word for repeat criminals: Up to S$ 20, 000 good, or up to five years ‘ prison, or both