Singapore MOM Arrests 14 in 139-Worker Phantom Quota Scheme

2 articles · Updated · CNA · Jul 23

Four company directors, nine foreign workers and one employment-agency appointment holder were arrested in a Jul 21 operation over suspected employment offences that MOM said may involve a criminal syndicate.
MOM alleges the directors inflated foreign worker quotas by making fraudulent CPF contributions for 139 locals who were not actually employed — so-called phantom workers used to support work pass applications.
The suspects are being investigated for false declarations, collecting employment-related kickbacks and unlicensed employment-agency activities; MOM did not say how many migrant workers entered Singapore through the scheme.
Penalties can reach S$80,000 and two years' jail, while companies or individuals convicted of false declarations can also be barred from hiring foreign workers.