2.         On 20 April 2021, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) arrested Pabel for remaining unlawfully in Singapore since 19 January 2021, after the expiry of his special pass on 18 January 2021. He was convicted and sentenced to one month’s imprisonment and three strokes of the cane. Pabel has since been deported and barred from re-entering Singapore.

3.          Investigations by ICA revealed that in November 2020, Pabel approached Jahangir to seek employment and was employed as a rice packer for Maa Trading, a company operated by Jahangir, until December 2020. In January 2021, Pabel was re-employed by Jahangir at Maa Trading. In addition to working as a rice packer, Pabel also worked as a shop assistant at a minimart operated by Maa Trading until his arrest. On both occasions, Jahangir failed to exercise due diligence to verify Pabel’s immigration status before employing him. During the course of investigations, Jahangir had also coached other staff from Maa Trading to give false accounts in their statements to ICA officers.

4.          ICA would like to reiterate that overstaying is a serious offence. Offenders may be jailed for up to six months, and face a minimum of three strokes of the cane, or a fine of up to $6,000. Immigration offender who are arrested will be deported and barred from re-entering Singapore after serving their sentences and/or payment of fines.

5.          ICA also takes a serious view towards individuals who employ immigration offenders. A person found guilty of employing overstayers and/or illegal immigrants may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than six months and up to two years and a fine of up to S$6,000.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
5 MAY 2026