The last two members of the syndicate, Sim Soon Lee (“Sim”) and Lim Wee Hong David (“Lim”), have been convicted for cheating, forgery and money laundering offences on 15 July 2022 and 17 March 2023 respectively, for their involvement in a multi-million dollar fraud on SkillsFuture Singapore (“SSG”). Sim and Lim were sentenced to 172 months’ and 165 months’ imprisonment on 15 July 2022 and 31 May 2023 respectively. There were two key members of the criminal syndicate, Ng Cheng Kwee (“Ng”) and Lee Lai Leng (“Lee”), that were convicted on 23 April 2021 and sentenced on 16 August 2021. This marks the conclusion of the prosecution against all the offenders in this case.
Between April 2017 and October 2017, the main masterminds of the syndicate, Ng and Lee, together with Sim, Lim and other operatives of the syndicate, agreed on a scheme to submit false course fee grant claims to cheat SSG into disbursing training grants. The syndicate registered nine dormant entities – six entities as applicant companies and three entities as training providers – with SSG, using the SingPass login credentials of Ng, Lee and their family members.
Sometime in late April 2017, Ng, Lee, Sim, Lim and other operatives of the syndicate decided to perpetrate the scheme on a larger scale. Sim was tasked to recruit other individuals as nominee directors for the nine entities to obscure the identities of the syndicate members, and to evade detection by the authorities.
Between April to October 2017, the syndicate submitted a total of 8,381 course fee grant applications and a corresponding 8,391 claims to SSG. These submissions involved 25,141 employees purportedly working for the six applicant entities, who had purportedly attended training courses conducted by the three training providers. In fact, no training courses were conducted and none of the 25,141 individuals were employees of the applicant entities. The syndicate’s scheme resulted in SSG disbursing approximately $39.9 million of training grants in total to the corporate bank accounts of eight applicant entities and training providers.
After the training grants had been disbursed by SSG to the bank accounts of eight of the entities, Sim and Lim assisted the syndicate to launder the criminal proceeds. They accompanied the nominee directors to withdraw the criminal proceeds in cash, by encashing cheques issued from the corporate bank accounts of the entities or other bank accounts controlled by members of the syndicate. The cash was then handed over to Ng or Lee.
Lim’s money-laundering offences extended beyond the encashing of cheques. On one occasion, on Ng’s instructions, Lim collected two bags containing cash of $2.6 million from Lee and passed the bags to two unknown persons. On another occasion, on Ng’s instructions, Lim concealed cash of $900,000 in the boot of Lee’s car, then drove the car to a secluded place in Singapore. These steps were taken in a deliberate attempt to conceal the ill-gotten proceeds from the Police.
With the conclusion of the criminal proceedings against Sim and Lim, all members of the criminal syndicate have been convicted for their involvement in the multi-million fraud [1]. Annex A sets out the details of the convictions.
The Police treats abuse of government grants seriously and will not hesitate to take action against such offenders. Offenders will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.
[1] Save for Wee Sim Soon, whose court proceedings were abated following his demise.
SSG has taken steps to prevent similar cases of fraud from recurring. SSG will impose severe penalties on individuals, training providers or applicant companies who abuse SSG’s funding schemes and subsidies, and will not hesitate to refer to the Police any individuals who commit such acts. SSG remains vigilant and asks members of the public to also keep a close watch. The public can provide information of potential fraud or abuse cases at audit@ssg.gov.sg, or via the hotline at 6326 2828.
Annex A – Details of the Offences that Operatives of the Syndicates were Convicted of ▼
| S/N |
Operative of the Syndicate |
Offences |
Date Sentenced |
Sentence |
| 1 |
Sim Soon Lee |
Convicted of:
- One charge under Section 4(1) of the Computer Misuse and Cybersecurity Act (“CMCA”), punishable under Section 120B of the Penal Code, read with Section 4(3) of the CMCA for engaging in a criminal conspiracy to secure access to the SkillsConnect portal to submit fraudulent course fee grant applicants and claims to SSG, with intent to cheat SSG into disbursing course fee subsidies;
- Ten charges under Section 47(2)(b) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act (“CDSA”), punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to convert property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct;
- One charge under Section 47(1)(b) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA for removing from jurisdiction property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct.
with the remaining 48 similar charges taken into consideration for sentencing
|
15 July 2022 |
172 months’ imprisonment |
| 2 |
Lim Wee Hong, David |
Convicted of:
- One charge under Section 4(1) of the CMCA, punishable under Section 120B of the Penal Code, read with Section 4(3) of the CMCA for engaging in a criminal conspiracy to secure access to the SkillsConnect portal to submit fraudulent course fee grant applicants and claims to SSG, with intent to cheat SSG into disbursing course fee subsidies;
- One charge under Section 467 of the Penal Code for forging a cheque by dishonestly signing on it with the intention of causing it to be believed that the said cheque was signed by another operative of the syndicate;
- Eleven charges under Section 47(2)(b) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act (“CDSA”), punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to convert property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct;
- One charge under Section 47(3) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to acquire property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct;
- One charge under Section 47(2)(a) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to conceal property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct.
with the remaining 33 similar charges taken into consideration for sentencing
|
31 May 2023 |
165 months’ imprisonment |
| 3 |
Quek Sze Leng, Andy |
Convicted of:
- One charge under Section 4(1) CMCA, punishable under Section 120B of the Penal Code, read with Section 4(3) of the CMCA for engaging in a criminal conspiracy to secure access to the SkillsConnect portal to submit fraudulent course fee grant applicants and claims to SSG, with intent to cheat SSG into disbursing course fee subsidies;
- Eighteen charges under Section 47(2)(b) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act (“CDSA”), punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to convert property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct; and
- Two charges under Section 47(3) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA for possessing property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct.
with the remaining 49 similar charges taken into consideration for sentencing
|
18 August 2021
|
133 months’ imprisonment |
| 4 |
Quek Si Guang Roger |
Convicted of:
-
Three charges under Section 47(2)(b) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA for converting/transferring/removing property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct; and
- Two charges under Section 47(3) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA for acquiring property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct;
- One charge under Section 44(1)(a) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 44(5)(a) of the CDSA for assisting another person to control benefits from criminal conduct
with the remaining 22 similar charges taken into consideration for sentencing
|
26 February 2019 |
42 months’ imprisonment |
| 5 |
Ng Cheng Kwee
|
Convicted of:
- One charge under Section 471 read with Section 466 and Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to fraudulently use as genuine a document purporting to be made by a public servant in his official capacity;
- One charge under Section 471 read with Section 465 and Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to fraudulently use as genuine a forged document;
- One charge under Section 417 read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to cheat SSG;
- One charge under Section 4(1) of the Computer Misuse and Cybersecurity Act (CMCA), punishable under Section 120B of the Penal Code, read with Section 4(3) of the CMCA for engaging in a criminal conspiracy to secure access to the SkillsConnect portal to submit fraudulent course fee grant applicants and claims to SSG, with intent to cheat SSG into disbursing course fee subsidies;
- Four charges under Section 420 read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to cheat SSG;
- Two charges under Section 47(1)(c) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act (CDSA), punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code for acquiring property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct with common intention;
- Two charges under Section 47(2)(b) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to convert property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct;
- One charge under Section 47(1)(a) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to conceal property which represents the benefits of criminal conduct;
- Two charges under Section 47(1)(c) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA for acquiring property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct;
- One charge under Section 47(1)(b) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for instigating the conversion of property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct;
- One charge under Section 47(2)(a) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 108B and Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to conceal property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct
;
- One charge under Section 204A read with Section 108B and Section 109 of the Penal Code for intentionally obstructing the course of justice; and
- Two charges under Section 420 read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to cheat Standard Chartered Bank and DBS,
with the remaining 114 similar charges taken into consideration for sentencing
|
16 August 2021 |
213 months’ imprisonment |
| 6 |
Lee Lai Leng |
Convicted of:
-
One charge under Section 471 read with Section 466 and Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to fraudulently use as genuine a document purporting to be made by a public servant in his official capacity;
-
One charge under Section 471 read with Section 465 and Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to fraudulently use as genuine a forged document;
-
One charge under Section 417 read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to cheat SSG;
-
One charge under Section 4(1) of the CMCA, punishable under Section 120B of the Penal Code, read with Section 4(3) of the CMCA for engaging in a criminal conspiracy to secure access to the SkillsConnect portal to submit fraudulent course fee grant applicants and claims to SSG, with intent to cheat SSG into disbursing course fee subsidies;
-
Four charges under Section 420 read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to cheat SSG;
-
Two charges under Section 47(1)(c) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code for acquiring property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct with common intention;
-
One charge under Section 47(2)(b) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to convert property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct;
-
One charge under Section 47(1)(b) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, for converting property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct;
-
One charge under Section 47(2)(a) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code, for instigating another person to conceal property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct;
-
One charge under Section 204A of the Penal Code for intentionally obstructing the course of justice; and
-
Two charges under Section 420 read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to cheat Standard Chartered Bank and DBS,
with the remaining 82 similar charges taken into consideration for sentencing
|
16 August 2021 |
168 months’ imprisonment |
| 7 |
Nathan S/O Muniandy
|
Convicted of:
- Six charges under Section 47(2)(b) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code, for engaging in a conspiracy to convert property which represents the benefits of criminal conduct,
with the remaining 15 similar charges taken into consideration for sentencing
|
11 December 2019 |
39 months’ imprisonment |
| 8 |
Tan Wee Kee
|
Convicted of:
- One charge under Section 157(1) of the Companies Act for failing to exercise reasonable diligence in the discharge of his duties as a company director;
-
One charge under Section 47(2)(b) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, for transferring the benefits of criminal conduct;
-
One charge under Section 47(2)(b) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to convert property which represents the benefits of criminal conduct; and
-
One charge under Section 47(3) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to acquire property which represents benefits from criminal conduct,
with the remaining five similar charges and another charge of acting as a bookmaker taken into consideration for sentencing
|
20 November 2019 |
52 months’ imprisonment
|
| 9 |
Vincent Peter |
Convicted of:
- Six charges under Section 47(2)(b) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code, for engaging in a conspiracy to convert property which represents the benefits of criminal conduct; and
-
Six charges under Section 47(2)(b) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, for converting property which represents the benefits of criminal conduct,
with the remaining 20 similar charges taken into consideration for sentencing
|
8 November 2019
|
80 months’ imprisonment
|
| 10 |
Ang Cheng Guan |
Convicted of:
- Two charges under Section 157(1) of the Companies Act for failing to exercise reasonable diligence in the discharge of his duties as a company director;
-
One charge under Section 44(1)(a) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 44(5)(a) of the CDSA, for assisting another person to control benefits from criminal conduct; and
-
Five charges under Section 47(2)(b) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for engaging in a conspiracy to convert property which represents the benefits of criminal conduct,
with the remaining 20 similar charges and one Road Traffic Act charge taken into consideration for sentencing
|
18 October 2019
|
104 months’ imprisonment
|
| 11 |
Manickam Pragasam
|
Convicted of:
-
Three charges under Section 47(2)(b) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code, for converting property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct,
with the remaining two similar charges taken into consideration for sentencing
|
4 June 2019
|
33 months’ imprisonment
|
| 12 |
Lee Chi Wai
|
Convicted of:
- Two charges under Section 47(3) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, for acquiring property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct; and
-
One charge under Section 47(2)(a) of the CDSA, punishable under Section 47(6)(a) of the CDSA, for concealing property which represented the benefits of criminal conduct
with the remaining two similar charges taken into consideration for sentencing
|
27 November 2018
|
68 months’ imprisonment
|
