Love Scam and a Frozen Account

When the victim’s own account is frozen

Romance scams take money from the victim. But they can also get the victim’s own bank account frozen, which feels doubly unfair.

The reason is simple. A freeze follows suspicious money, and if scam money passed through your account, the account can be caught in the investigation even if you did nothing wrong.

You have already lost money and trust to someone who was not who they claimed. Now your banking is blocked too. Try to keep the hurt separate from the practical steps, because each needs a different response.

How a love scam routes money through you

In some romance scams, the “partner” does not only ask you for money. At some point they ask you to receive money and pass it on, or to hold funds for a parcel, an emergency or an investment.

That turns your account into a channel. Scam money flows in and out through you, which is exactly the pattern that leads to a freeze and police questions.

The request can come wrapped in the relationship: a favour for someone you love, help in a crisis, or a step toward your future together. That can make a victim agree without questioning the money.

Why the freeze can happen so fast

When a victim somewhere reports the scam, the money is traced through every account it passed through, including yours. The authorities can act quickly to stop it moving further.

Under AMLA 2001 section 50(1), the Public Prosecutor may order a bank not to release money in accounts suspected of holding proceeds of unlawful activity ^[f1]. Separately, under CPC section 116D (2024), a police officer of Sergeant rank or above can freeze an account at once, without a court order ^[f2].

Being deceived is central to your case

What matters most is what you truly believed. If someone you trusted tricked you into receiving and forwarding money, that deception is the core of your explanation.

Do not explain it casually or under pressure. The messages, transfers and profile show what you were told and what you thought was happening, so keep them safe.

Do not delete the chats out of embarrassment. They may be the clearest proof that you were deceived. Keep everything as it is until you have taken advice.

How long a freeze can last

It depends on the power used. An AMLA order lapses 18 months after it was made if you are not charged ^[f3]. A freeze by an enforcement agency under AMLA section 44 lasts up to 90 days unless you are charged.

A police freeze under the 2024 CPC power works differently ^[f2]. Which power applies decides the timeline and your options, and a lawyer can work this out from your bank’s notice.

Waiting without knowing is hard. Knowing whether a time limit applies, and what could move things along, lets you plan instead of just worrying.

First steps for a victim

Stop sending or moving any money, and cut all contact with the scammer.

Keep every message, transfer record and profile before anything is deleted, and report to the 997 hotline ^[f4]. Then speak to a lawyer before you give a detailed police statement, so your side as a deceived victim is explained clearly and not under pressure.

Sources

1. https://www.lawnet.com.my/amla-2001
2. https://www.parlimen.gov.my/
3. https://www.nsrc.gov.my/