Dewan Negara passes amendments to stop withdrawal of funds by fraudsters

 

Deputy law and institutional reform minister M Kula Segaran said amendments to existing laws would empower the police to seize money from both conventional bank accounts and e-wallets. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 2024, approved by the Dewan Negara today, will ensure perpetrators of online fraud are held accountable.

Deputy law and institutional reform minister M Kula Segaran said the amendments introduced in Sections 424 and 424(b) and (c) would apply to all individuals involved, including those indirectly implicated in fraudulent activities, Bernama reported.

The bill was approved with a majority vote after being debated by 10 senators.

Kula said although the amendments do not specifically address the restitution of funds to victims, the proposed asset seizure powers under the Criminal Procedure Code amendments, also passed by the Dewan Negara today, would allow the police to prevent the withdrawal or use of funds by fraudsters.

This measure will help police trace and identify money diverted from victims, thus facilitating the return of funds to those scammed,

 he said when rounding up the debate on the bills.

He said the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill 2024 granted asset seizure powers to police officers with a rank of sergeant and above.

This will empower the police to seize money from both conventional bank accounts and e-wallets,

 he said. - FMT