The Police are investigating two women, aged 43 and 56, for their suspected involvement in two separate cases of cheating by using illegally obtained personal information to collect face masks from vending machines put up by Temasek Foundation.
In the first case, the Police received a report on 3 March 2021, informing that a victim was unable to collect her face mask from a vending machine along Chai Chee Avenue. A check with Temasek Foundation revealed that the face mask had already been collected. Through investigations and with the aid of images from Police cameras and CCTV cameras fixed in the vending machines, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the 56-year-old woman and arrested her on 11 March 2021. The woman had also purportedly used illegally obtained personal information to collect more than 20 face masks from various vending machines located in Pasir Ris.
In the second case, the Police received a report on 5 March 2021, informing that a victim was unable to collect her face mask from a vending machine along Orchard Road; her face mask had already been collected as well. Officers from Tanglin Police Division subsequently established the identity of the 43-year-old woman on 8 March 2021. The woman had also allegedly used illegally obtained personal information to collect five reusable face masks from a vending machine along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3.
Investigations for the two cases are ongoing. The offence of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code carries an imprisonment term which may extend to ten years, and includes a fine. The offence of retaining illegally obtained personal information under Section 416A of the Penal Code carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
The Police have also received similar reports in other residential estates and are intensifying our efforts with a serious view to apprehend perpetrators and bring them to justice. If you spot any suspicious person(s) loitering near any reusable masks vending machine, please contact the Police at ‘999’ immediately.
Members of the public who are having difficulties collecting their reusable face masks from the vending machines are advised to contact Temasek Foundation via their hotline at 1800-738-2000 from 9:00am to 9:00pm daily from Wednesday, 24 February to Sunday, 14 March 2021 (except on public holidays) or via email at staymasked@temasekfoundation.org.sg.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
12 March 2021 @ 9:50 PM