The SPF will be charging four men, aged between 24 and 42, for their alleged involvement in: (a) making false and misleading claims in a series of unsolicited door-to-door sales of fire extinguishers under an entity known as Fire Safety Prevention SG (FSP); and (b) the obstruction of justice in the investigations against FSP by the Police and the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) between 2018 and 2020.
The case details are as follows:
- On 7 February 2018, a 24-year-old man allegedly cheated a victim into purchasing a fire extinguisher by falsely representing that FSP was supported by Members of Parliament and Police. On 4 March 2019, he allegedly cheated another victim into purchasing a fire extinguisher by falsely representing that FSP was collaborating with Sengkang Community Centre to sell fire extinguishers. The man will be charged with two counts of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
- On 10 April 2019, a 26-year-old man allegedly cheated a victim into purchasing a fire extinguisher by falsely representing that FSP was collaborating with a Community Centre to sell fire extinguishers. On 24 February 2020, the man allegedly cheated another victim into purchasing a fire extinguisher by falsely representing that it was compulsory for every HDB unit to own a fire extinguisher. The man will be charged with two counts of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
- On 13 May 2019, a 27-year-old man allegedly cheated a victim into purchasing a fire extinguisher by falsely representing that it was compulsory for every household to own a fire extinguisher, and that the Singapore Civil Defence Force would issue summons to units found without at least one fire extinguisher[1]. The man will be charged with one count of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
- On 4 March 2020, a 42-year-old man, who was the Director of FSP, allegedly instructed FSP employees to give identical accounts to Police officers during the recording of their statements. On 5 June 2020, the man allegedly instructed FSP employees to give identical accounts to officers of the CCCS during the recording of their statements. The man will be charged with two counts of obstructing the course of justice under Section 204A(a) of the Penal Code.
The offence of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine. The offence of obstructing the course of justice under Section 204A(a) of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years or a fine, or both.
The SPF takes a stern view of persons who engage in sales tactics involving the fraudulent misrepresentation of public agencies to coerce unsuspecting victims to purchase their products. Such fraudulent misrepresentations erode trust in public agencies and the Police will not hesitate to take firm action against such offenders, in accordance with the law.
[1] While households are encouraged to be equipped with fire extinguishers, it is not a mandatory requirement by the SCDF.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
25 July 2023 @ 8:40 AM