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The Police will be charging 14 male Singaporeans and one female Singaporean, aged between 22 and 47, in court on 29 April 2026 for providing their Singpass credentials to third parties to incorporate shell companies and apply for foreign work passes. The 15 persons will be charged for various offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1993 (“CMA”). 

In September 2024, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Police conducted a joint enforcement operation targeting a criminal syndicate that submitted work pass applications under shell companies. This resulted in the arrest of 32 individuals, including the 15 Singaporeans who will now be facing charges.

Police investigations revealed that a criminal network had recruited them either in person or via Telegram. They then allegedly provided their Singpass credentials to the criminal network to incorporate shell companies under their names in return for monetary compensation. 

Existing charges under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 (“EFMA”)

Earlier in November 2025, following the joint enforcement operation, MOM had charged 18 persons, aged between 23 and 47, in court for illegal labour importation offences under Section 22B of the EFMA. They each face amalgamated charges encompassing their involvement in submitting fraudulent work pass applications and hiring foreigners as performing artistes under shell companies that were non-operational or did not require their employment. The amalgamated charges each carry an enhanced punishment of imprisonment of up to four years and a fine not exceeding $12,000. A 19th person, who was also investigated following the joint enforcement operation, will be charged for the same offence on 7 May 2026. 

New charges under the CMA

Of the 19 persons, 15 of them will be charged in court on 29 April 2026 for various offences under the CMA. These charges include unauthorised access to computer material, unauthorised disclosure of access code, and disclosure of credentials in relation to national digital identity service under Section 3, Section 8, and Section 8A of the CMA, respectively. 

The offence of unauthorised access to computer material under Section 3 of the CMA carries an imprisonment term of up to two years, a fine not exceeding $5,000, or both. The offences of unauthorised disclosure of access code under Section 8 and disclosure of credentials in relation to national digital identity service under Section 8A of the CMA carry an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine not exceeding $10,000, or both. 

The Police would like to caution members of the public against accepting offers of quick monetary gains in exchange for their Singpass accounts or credentials. Singpass passwords or 2FA details should not be disclosed to unknown persons, as these credentials can be misused to access various digital services, including the opening of bank accounts, e-wallets, crypto accounts, and mobile phone lines for scams and other illegal activities. The Police will take firm action against persons who give up their SingPass credentials to strangers or register for facilities on behalf of criminal syndicates, and prosecute such persons to the fullest extent of the law.