Back to top
Two Persons Jailed For Arranging A Sham Marriage
A male Singaporean and a female Vietnamese were arrested by officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and both were sentenced to six months imprisonment in 2013 for engaging in a marriage of convenience (MOC). Following their conviction in court, ICA officers followed up on the leads and arrested two female Vietnamese, 41-year-old Nguyen Thi Yen and 31-year-old Le Thi Tra My, who arranged the sham marriage. Nguyen was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment and fined $3,000 while Le was sentenced to 7 months imprisonment.
2. In February 2013, Le suggested to the “bride” to enter into a MOC with a Singaporean so that she could apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass to extend her stay in Singapore. In return, the “bride” would have to pay $7,500 for the marriage arrangements, to which she agreed.
3. Le then introduced the “bride” to Nguyen who found her a potential “groom”. The “groom” was informed by Nguyen that after his “marriage”, he would have to sponsor the Visit Pass applications so that his “bride” could extend her stay in Singapore. In return, he would be given a sum of money. He agreed to the arrangements.
4. On 18 March 2013, the “couple” solemnised their marriage at a restaurant in Peninsular Plaza. The “bride” paid a total of $7,500 for the marriage arrangements - of which Nguyen, Le and the “groom” each received a portion.
5. For arranging the sham marriage, Le was sentenced to 7 months imprisonment on 5 April 2016 while Nguyen was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment and fined $3,000 on 5 May 2016.
6. ICA takes a serious view of individuals trying to circumvent our system by engaging in sham marriages to obtain immigration facilities in Singapore. In August 2012, a specific provision of the Immigration Act, Section 57C, to criminalise marriage of convenience was introduced to enable ICA to definitively deal with those who try to abuse the system. This applies to those who have contracted/entered into marriage of convenience or those who have arranged or assisted in arranging such marriages on or after 19 December 2012. The penalties for the offence are a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, or both.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
6 May 2016
2. In February 2013, Le suggested to the “bride” to enter into a MOC with a Singaporean so that she could apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass to extend her stay in Singapore. In return, the “bride” would have to pay $7,500 for the marriage arrangements, to which she agreed.
3. Le then introduced the “bride” to Nguyen who found her a potential “groom”. The “groom” was informed by Nguyen that after his “marriage”, he would have to sponsor the Visit Pass applications so that his “bride” could extend her stay in Singapore. In return, he would be given a sum of money. He agreed to the arrangements.
4. On 18 March 2013, the “couple” solemnised their marriage at a restaurant in Peninsular Plaza. The “bride” paid a total of $7,500 for the marriage arrangements - of which Nguyen, Le and the “groom” each received a portion.
5. For arranging the sham marriage, Le was sentenced to 7 months imprisonment on 5 April 2016 while Nguyen was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment and fined $3,000 on 5 May 2016.
6. ICA takes a serious view of individuals trying to circumvent our system by engaging in sham marriages to obtain immigration facilities in Singapore. In August 2012, a specific provision of the Immigration Act, Section 57C, to criminalise marriage of convenience was introduced to enable ICA to definitively deal with those who try to abuse the system. This applies to those who have contracted/entered into marriage of convenience or those who have arranged or assisted in arranging such marriages on or after 19 December 2012. The penalties for the offence are a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, or both.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
6 May 2016