19/12/2017

SUSPECTED MEMBERS OF CRIMINAL SYNDICATE CHARGED

Several suspected members of a criminal syndicate which had submitted fraudulent claims to SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) have been charged with a series of offences. These include engaging in a conspiracy to submit forged documents to fraudulently obtain training subsidies from SSG, and to conceal the benefits from such criminal conduct.

Preliminary police investigation reveals that the criminal syndicate behind these fraudulent claims operated an organised network that utilised nine business entities, comprising employer companies and training providers, to submit the fraudulent claims. Close to $40 million has been paid out as a result. Police has seized substantial cash and frozen a number of bank accounts involved in the case. Police investigations are on-going.

At the end of October 2017, SSG detected anomalies in claims for training grants. It immediately suspended all payments of grants to these nine business entities and reported the case to the Police.

SSG has also taken immediate actions to tighten its processes, which include implementing fraud analytics, while conducting a comprehensive review of the system.

SSG takes a serious view of any individual, training provider or organisation that abuses its funding schemes, and will not hesitate to take action against those who contravene its funding rules and guidelines. Feedback on such individuals or organisations can be directed to SSG at https://service-portal.skillsfuture.gov.sg/s/.