The case was uncovered on April 3 when the property owner discovered that a caveat had been lodged against his property in connection with a loan application he had not authorized. A caveat is a legal notification that prevents a property from being sold or transferred until the claim is resolved. Preliminary investigations revealed that fraudulent documents had been used to apply for the loans, leading police to identify the four men involved.
Police stated that the five-man group, which included a fifth suspect who remains at large, allegedly coordinated the fraud through impersonation and deception. According to police, a 39-year-old man impersonated the property owner and used forged identity documents to sign loan agreements and collect property-related documents from law firms. He is scheduled to face six charges, including two counts of abetting cheating, one count of possessing a forged identity card, and three counts of using forged electronic records as genuine.
The remaining three suspects are accused of facilitating the scheme. A 27-year-old man allegedly lured the property owner away from his home on two occasions under false pretences to create an opportunity for the other suspects to act. He faces two charges of abetting cheating. A 29-year-old man allegedly provided valuers with access to the property while the owner was absent, allowing them to conduct valuations without the owner’s knowledge; he faces one charge of abetting cheating. A 36-year-old man is accused of assisting in the unlawful issuance of a National Registration Identity Card (NRIC), which was used in the scheme. He faces one charge of abetting the unlawful issue of an identity card.
Officers from the Bedok Police Division arrested the four men during a two-day operation on April 14 and 15. Police seized a forged NRIC and mobile phones as case exhibits. The police announced that efforts to trace the fifth accomplice are ongoing.
The penalty for abetting cheating in Singapore carries a maximum imprisonment term of 10 years, and offenders may also be liable to a fine or caning, or both. The charge of abetting the unlawful issue of an identity card carries a maximum imprisonment term of 10 years and a fine of up to S$10,000.
