On 5 May 2022, 11 individuals, aged between 28 and 65, were charged in court in connection with alleged attempts to obtain monies under the Jobs Support Scheme (“JSS”) by fraud. Three of these individuals also face similar charges in connection with the COVID-19 Support Grant (“CSG”) and the Temporary Relief Fund (“TRF”).
The three financial support schemes were launched by the Government during the COVID-19 pandemic. The JSS, administered by the Inland Revenue of Singapore (“IRAS”), offered wage support to employers so they could retain their local employees. To ensure that JSS payouts were fairly and correctly disbursed, IRAS conducted reviews of higher risk cases using data analytics and information provided by the public. It adjusted or denied JSS payouts to employers who were unable to substantiate their eligibility. Egregious cases, such as those suspected of submitting false documents to IRAS, would be referred to the Police. The CSG and TRF, administered by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (“MSF”), offered financial support to Singaporeans who suffered job loss or income loss.
Gay Kah Leong and Tan Zhong Lin, Deidrea of Kings Spa SG Pte Ltd were charged with allegedly attempting to cheat IRAS into disbursing a JSS pay-out of approximately $50,000 in respect of 36 individuals who did not perform work or receive salaries as declared. The duo, together with seven other individuals, were also charged with alleged involvement in falsifying the employment contracts and payslips submitted to IRAS and/or furnishing false information.
Gay Kah Leong and two other individuals were also charged with allegedly cheating or attempting to cheat the MSF into disbursing CSG and TRF grants when they did not suffer job loss or income loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Separately, Teoh Wong Har of TK Manufacturing and Wholesale Centre (a sole proprietorship) and Wong Lai Kook of Double Ace Associates Pte Ltd were charged with allegedly attempting to cheat IRAS into disbursing JSS pay-outs in respect of individuals who were either not employed or who did not perform the work as declared. The pay-outs would have amounted to approximately $15,000.
If convicted, the accused persons face the following punishments:
- For each offence of Cheating under section 420 of the Penal Code or Attempted Cheating under section 420 of the Penal Code read with section 512(2) of the Penal Code – imprisonment of up to 10 years, and liability to pay a fine;
- For each offence of Falsification of Accounts under Section 477A of the Penal Code - imprisonment of up to 10 years, or a fine, or both;
- For each offence of Furnishing False Information under Section 177(2) of the Penal Code - imprisonment of up to three years, or a fine, or both;
- For each offence of Furnishing False Information under Section 182 of the Penal Code - imprisonment of up to two years, or a fine, or both.
The Police takes a serious stance against the abuse of Government grants, especially where this involves the diversion of resources from those in genuine need of assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Offenders will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
05 May 2022 @ 12:40 PM