The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) dealt a blow to a forgery syndicate when their runner was caught at Woodlands checkpoint on 5 Apr 05. At about 0715 hours, ICA officers conducted a routine check on a motorcyclist and his pillion rider coming into Singapore.

2 Our officers searched the Malaysian motorcyclist and his motorcycle but did not find anything. Upon searching the pillion rider, also a Malaysian, our alert officers found a forged blue National Registration Identity Card (NRIC), two Work Permit cards and two Safety Orientation Certificate (SOC) cards on him. The man had actually hidden the forged documents in the socks on his right leg! The moment our officers uncover the foul feat (pun intended), both men were arrested and their vehicle seized.

3 Preliminary investigation revealed that the 34-year-old pillion rider had requested a ride from the 27-year-old motorcyclist that day as the former's motorcycle had broken down that morning. He admitted that he was working for a Malaysian who promised him SGD50 for every set of forged documents brought into Singapore. The two men were referred to the Police for further investigation.

4 The Singapore authorities take a serious view of attempts to forge immigration cards and other related documents. For forgery of passes or in possession of forged passes, the offender faces an imprisonment for a term of up to 7 years and shall also be liable to a fine.


END OF NEWS RELEASE

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
5 Apr 05