The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a press release that they are providing assistance to Singaporeans who are stuck in Shanghai amidst the city’s current lockdown.

MFA has been reaching out to Singaporeans there and responding to their concerns, and the Consulate-General is also helping them access food and essentials.

The MFA also urged Singaporeans in Shanghai to e-register with the MFA, as the Consulate-General is monitoring the situation very closely and keeping in touch with the local authorities there.

Here is what MFA said:

In response to media queries on the consular assistance to Singaporeans in Shanghai, the MFA Spokesperson said:

“The Singapore Consulate-General in Shanghai has been reaching out to Singaporeans and responding to their queries and concerns during the lockdown in Shanghai.  The Consulate-General is closely monitoring the situation and in touch with the local authorities. The Consulate-General has been updating Singaporeans regularly on the evolving COVID-19 situation in Shanghai, including through a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and has convened a virtual town hall meeting on 12 April 2022. The Consulate-General is also providing assistance to Singaporeans such as helping them source for essential supplies or replenish medication, sending food packs to those who are unable to obtain food on their own, and facilitating exit permits for Singaporeans to return to Singapore for urgent reasons.

Singaporeans who can still access delivery services may try purchasing essential supplies through online applications and participating in group buys within their residential compounds.  They may also seek assistance through their neighbourhood residence committees. Singaporeans can refer to the relevant Shanghai authority’s official WeChat account for information on available vendors for supplies. Singaporeans who are unable to obtain essential supplies despite these efforts can contact the Consulate-General for assistance.

The current COVID situation in Shanghai is rapidly evolving. While the Consulate-General remains under lockdown, Singaporeans in Shanghai who require consular assistance may reach the Consulate-General via the emergency hotline +86 138 0194 9439 or email address [email protected].  Singaporeans can also approach the 24-hour MFA Duty Office at +65 6379 8800/8855.  We urge all Singaporeans who are currently in Shanghai to e-register with MFA at https://eregister.mfa.gov.sg/ if they have not already done so.”

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

13 APRIL 2022

A 32-year-old woman has been detained on suspicion of being involved in a number of e-commerce scams.

Between March 13 and April 11, 2022, the Police received several reports from individuals who claimed to have been duped by an internet merchant who offered the sale of cheap luxury bags. The merchant reportedly failed to deliver the goods after the victims made payment via bank transfers.

Officers from the Ang Mo Kio Police Division uncovered the woman’s identity and arrested her on April 13, 2022. According to preliminary investigations, the lady is reportedly implicated in other similar crimes.

On 14 April 2022, the lady will be accused in court of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code 1871.

Penalties:

If the woman is found guilty of cheating she can face a jail sentence of 10 years and a fine.

For more information on scams, members of the public can visit scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688. Anyone with information on such scams may call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.

Two men, aged 24 and 34, was charged in court yesterday (13 April 2022) for their suspected involvement in offences related to assisting another to retain benefits from criminal conduct and handling of benefits of criminal conduct.

24-year-old man

The Police were alerted in November 2018 that criminal proceeds arising from overseas investment fraud were credited into corporate and personal bank accounts in Singapore.

The personal bank account had received almost $300,000 in illegal profits. Preliminary investigations indicated that the 24-year-old man reportedly created a personal bank account but abandoned control of it in exchange for a fee, despite having grounds to think it would be used to maintain another person’s illicit profits.

The 24-year-old male was therefore charged with one count under Section 44 of Chapter 65A of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking, and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act.

34-year-old man

It was also found that part of the illicit gains in the personal account were allegedly withdrawn by the 34-year-old man, who obtained the 24-year-old man’s debit card despite the fact that they were strangers. He reportedly took $22,000 from his own bank account and gave money to unknown persons. He also allegedly withdrew $5,675 and spent it on fancy products.

The funds he had removed were thought to be the proceeds of illegal activity. As a result, he was charged with violating Section 47 of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking, and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, Chapter 65A.

Money Laundering

The offence of entering into an arrangement having reason to believe that the retention of benefits of criminal conduct would be facilitated, under Section 44 of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act Chapter 65A [1], carries a fine of up to $500,000 and/or a jail term not exceeding 10 years.

The offence of transferring or using property having reason to believe that the property is, or in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, represents another person’s benefits from criminal conduct, under Section 47 of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act Chapter 65A [2], carries a fine of up to $500,000 and/or a jail term not exceeding 10 years.

According to the Police media release, a 32-year-old man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in a case of housebreaking and theft.

The incident happened on 9 April 2022 at about 8.50 am, the Police were contacted to a case of housebreaking at a residential unit along Yishun Avenue 9. A handbag, mobile phone and cash amounting to about $500 were purportedly stolen.

Through ground enquiries and with the aid of Police cameras, officers from Woodlands Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him on 11 April 2022.

The man will be charged in court on 13 April 2022 with housebreaking and theft under Section 451 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term up to 10 years and a fine.

The Police would like to advise all property owners to adopt the following crime prevention measures:

• Secure all doors, roller shutters, windows and other openings with good quality grilles and closed-shackle padlocks when leaving your premises unattended, even for a short while;
  
• Install a burglar alarm, motion sensor light and/or CCTVs, to cover the access points into your premises. Ensure that the systems are tested periodically and in good working condition; and
  
• Refrain from keeping large sums of cash in your premises.