The Police will be charging a 19-year-old man in court on 30 September 2021 with obtaining services dishonestly under Section 420A of the Penal Code.
In May 2021, the Police received a report from a ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ (“BNPL”) company on several subjects defaulting on their instalment plans. Under the instalment scheme offered by the BNPL company, the account holders could make one-third of the full payment required first and enjoy the services offered. The remaining payments could be made in two installments in subsequent months.
Investigations revealed that between 4 January to 15 March 2021, the accused had requested for his friends to create accounts with the BNPL company and make hotel reservations under the installment scheme. The accused enjoyed the hotel stays. While he paid the first installments for all the bookings, he allegedly defaulted on the remaining payments. The accused purportedly did not intend to make full payment even though he was aware that full payment had to be made to enjoy the hotel stays.
Anyone found guilty of obtaining services dishonestly shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, a fine, or both.
The Police would like to advise members of the public to be careful in giving out your credentials, and in particular, Singpass details. Your identities may be used to bind you to legally enforceable contracts, or link you with criminal activities.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
29 September 2021 @ 10:20 PM