The Police have arrested a 38-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a series of cheating cases by using illegally obtained personal information to collect face masks from vending machines put up by Temasek Foundation.
On 13 March 2021 at about 11.40am, the Police received a report informing that a victim was unable to collect his face mask from a vending machine at Pasir Ris East Community Centre. On the same day, Temasek Foundation had also lodged a report stating that they have received several complaints from members of the public for not being able to collect their face masks at other vending machines located at Bukit Panjang and Bishan.
Through investigations and with the aid of images from Police cameras and CCTV cameras fixed in the vending machines, officers from Bedok Police Division and Central Police Division established the identity of the 38-year-old man and arrested him within 24 hours on 14 March 2021. He had purportedly used illegally obtained personal information to attempt unauthorised redemptions of face masks 61 times and managed to successfully collect 11 face masks from various vending machines located at Bukit Panjang Plaza and along Bishan Street 22.
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 machines, please contact the Police at 999 immediately.
Members of the public who are having difficulties redeeming 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
14 March 2021 @ 11:56 AM