Chia Chwee Imm Helen (“Helen Chia”), a 53-year-old Singapore citizen, was charged in court on 21 November 2023 with two counts of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code, for wilfully pretending to be authorised to act as an advocate and solicitor when she did not hold a valid practising licence, and thereby deceiving two clients into engaging her, and making payments to her for legal work.
Helen Chia was working with the firm Chia-Thomas Law Chambers LLC. However, she did not hold a valid practising licence between 24 August 2017 and 30 May 2018. She is alleged to have deceived two persons into engaging her to perform legal work during this period, by dishonestly concealing her lack of a valid practising certificate from them. As a result, the two persons made payments for legal services, amounting to a total of S$39,685.60, to her.
Helen Chia also faces two charges of wilfully pretending to be authorised to act as an advocate and solicitor under Section 33(1)(b) of the Legal Profession Act.
Under Section 420 of the Penal Code, an offender upon conviction shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Under Section 33(1)(b) of the Legal Profession Act, an offender upon conviction shall be liable to a fine not exceeding S$25,000 or to imprisonment for a term up to 6 months or both.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
21 November 2023 @ 12:30 PM