Money mules in scams should get at least six months' jail: Panel

People here who allow scammers to control their bank or Singpass accounts should be jailed for at least six months if convicted, with immediate effect.

- Ang Qing

In an Aug 21 statement, the Sentencing Advisory Panel recommended that significant jail sentences should be the norm for such offences to send a strong deterrent signal. This means that from Aug 21, anyone convicted of these offences can be jailed for at least six months.

The panel added that jail time should apply even to offenders below 21 years old, except for those who are dealt with in the Youth Court. Currently, those convicted of the offences can be fined, or jailed, or both.

The panel said scams are a major and fast-growing concern, citing how scam cases have increased by more than sevenfold over the past five years, with the amount lost to scams quadrupling.

In 2023, there were 46,563 scam cases, resulting in a total loss of $651.8 million by scam victims.

Due to the devastating impact of scams on vulnerable victims, the panel recommended heftier sentences for cases involving such victims, which include the elderly, or those unable to protect themselves due to physical or mental infirmity.

It added that the starting sentences for those involved in such cases should be increased by at least 25 per cent.

The panel comprises members from the judiciary, the Law and Home Affairs ministries, the police, the Attorney-General's Chambers and the Bar.