MP Calls to Penalise Scam Victims for Their Greed
Parliament member from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), Ibrahim Muhammad has called for penalties against individuals who fall victim to scams due to their own greed.
Speaking during a parliamentary debate today, Ibrahim stated that extreme greed often leads people to become victims of scams and that penalties could encourage more responsible behaviour.
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The debate centred on a legislative amendment proposed by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). The bill, introduced by North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo), seeks to empower the police to freeze bank accounts suspected of being involved in scams without the need for a court warrant.
Penalties on Those Seeking Illicit Gains from Scams
While Ibrahim expressed support for the bill, he argued that it should go further by imposing penalties on victims who participate in scams with the aim of profiting from illegal schemes. He noted, “Extreme greed can result in wrong outcomes. There should be a penalty for those who knowingly engage in dubious programs seeking to gain illicit profits.”
The proposed amendment to Article 73(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code aims to streamline the process for law enforcement to freeze funds. Currently, a court order is required to freeze bank accounts if they are suspected of being linked to serious criminal offences. The amendment would allow police officers ranked sub-inspector and above to issue freeze orders without judicial approval, enabling faster intervention.
Banking Reforms Amid Rise in Digital Scams
Jumhoory Party (JP) leader and Maamigili MP Gasim Ibrahim voiced concerns during the debate about the role of banks in the rise of scam cases. He criticised the banking sector’s reliance on flawed digital systems and called for banking reforms to enhance security measures. Gasim argued that banks should be held accountable for losses resulting from scams, stating, “It is the bank’s responsibility to ensure customer funds are protected.”
Gasim also highlighted the increasing prevalence of scams in the digital age, contrasting it with the earlier era of physical cheques, when such activities were less common. He urged lawmakers to prioritise banking sector reforms and upgrades to security protocols, suggesting that merely empowering the police to freeze accounts would be insufficient without addressing the root causes within the financial system.
Delayed Settlements to Prevent Rapid Scam Transfers
During the debate, Central-Hithadhoo MP Ahmed Azaan Marzooq echoed Gasim’s concerns, stating that the amendment alone would not significantly curb scam activities without broader reforms to the Banking Act. Azaan proposed introducing delayed settlements and pattern recognition systems in banks as measures to prevent scammers from quickly transferring funds across multiple accounts.
Manadhoo MP Husny Mubarik supported Azaan’s call for a more comprehensive approach, advocating for simultaneous reforms to both the Criminal Procedure Act and the Banking Act. Husny also highlighted the need to amend Article 72 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which governs the issuance of court orders for bank account monitoring, suggesting that without this change, the amendment to Article 73 would have limited impact.
The bill’s supporters argue that it addresses the delays currently faced by law enforcement in tackling scams, but many lawmakers agree that further reforms to the banking system are necessary to effectively combat financial fraud.
