150 foreigners prosecuted for fake credentials since 2012

The Ministry of Manpower's tightening of legislation and increased penalties for false credentials on work pass applications has seen 150 people put behind bars in the past three years.

Since 2012, Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said they have successfully prosecuted 150 foreigners for false credentials.

"All were sentenced to imprisonment terms and subsequently had their work passes revoked and were barred from working in Singapore," he said. 

These numbers were release as a written statement in Parliament after Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about the government's plans to facilitate credential checks on foreigners coming to work in Singapore.

Tan said the government tightened this legislation in 2012 to better deter foreigners or their employers from submitting false documents in support of work pass applications, including those relating to academic qualifications.

"We have also taken a risk-based approach to improve and strengthen our credential checks, including supplementing these checks with third-party overseas screening agencies, verifying the authenticity of certificates directly with the issuing educational institution, and requiring the applicant to upload proof of diplomas and higher qualifications authentication," he added.

Tan reminded Parliament that because the EP framework being based on factors such as salary level, qualifications and experience, simply possessing acceptable qualifications does not alone guarantee the EP application will be approved.

"Conversely, not possessing acceptable qualifications does not automatically rule one out of being eligible for an EP."

The penalty for submitting false credentials for work pass purposes is a fine of up $20,000 and/or imprisoned of up to two years.

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