A 49-year-old Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA) officer, Teo Hwee Ping, was recently sentenced to 33 months in jail and fined S$2634.55 for his involvement in accepting bribes, according to Channel NewsAsia.
The Unraveling of a 20-Year Career
Teo’s illicit activities revolved around assisting a Chinese woman, Liang Qinglan, who had overstayed her travel pass in Singapore.
Through his contacts and knowledge within the ICA, Teo arranged for Liang’s arrest and manipulated her responses during the interview process to secure her a Special Pass.
This pass, typically issued for specific purposes, allowed Liang to remain in Singapore despite her legal status.
The Nexus of Bribes
Court documents revealed that Teo’s involvement wasn’t solely for the sake of helping Liang. In exchange for his services, Teo received gifts ranging from an iPhone X to free intercourse and monetary rewards.
Teo’s relationship with Liang took a darker turn as he not only facilitated her immigration matters but also encouraged her to engage in illegal activities.
Liang gave Teo a cash reward of about $2,200 and slept with him for free, as well as lending him money of up to $1,400 in exchange for continuing to help her with her immigration.
He also confessed to encouraging Liang to work as a prostitute in Singapore.
Liang, indebted to Teo, continued to offer him various rewards, including cash, intercourse, and loans. This pattern of exploitation further showcased the power dynamics at play.
A Broader Network of Deceit
As the saga continued, Teo’s web of corruption expanded. Another Chinese national, Cheng Wenjuan, sought Teo’s assistance in obtaining a Special Pass after being informed by Liang.
Teo, undeterred by his impending consequences, agreed to help Cheng for a fee and additional perks. Unfortunately for Cheng, her plans were foiled by her arrest before she could secure the Special Pass