A 58-year-old man is set to appear in court on 13 March 2024, facing charges of cheating Tampines Town Council by overcharging for water pump replacements. The man, who was a director of a term contractor engaged by the council for pump maintenance works between April 2016 and July 2017, allegedly submitted 203 invoices seeking reimbursement of over $380,000 for the installation of multi-stage water pumps. However, it is claimed that single-stage water pumps, which are significantly cheaper, were installed instead.
The man has been accused of committing two counts of cheating offences under Section 420 of the Penal Code. If found guilty, he faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine for each count of the offence.
The Penal Code 1871 defines cheating as the act of dishonestly inducing a person to deliver property or to promise to deliver property, or to do or abstain from doing anything, under the belief that the person is entitled to the property or that the person will not suffer any loss or damage by such delivery or promise or performance.
The town council had engaged the man’s company to carry out pump maintenance works for the estate. However, it is alleged that the man took advantage of his position and submitted false invoices to overcharge the council for the installation of water pumps.
The authorities take a serious view of such offences, and the man will be presented in court to face the charges against him. The case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of public funds and the need for robust checks and balances to prevent fraud and abuse.