10 Arrested and 41 Assisting in Investigations for Employment-Related Offences Following Island-wide MOM Enforcement Operation

On 31 March 2026, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) arrested 10 subjects for suspected involvement in fraudulent work pass applications in an island-wide enforcement operation. Among those arrested were directors and employees from five construction companies. Another 41 subjects are assisting in the investigation for suspected involvement in such illegal arrangements. MOM is also probing into the CPF contributions of another group of more than 40 persons in relation to these five companies.

2 The five construction companies had allegedly made Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents not under their employment, or “phantom workers”, to inflate their quota to hire foreigners. These companies then used the inflated quota to make work pass applications to MOM to hire more foreigners.

Penalties for Employment Offences

3 Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 (EFMA), any person convicted of making false declarations in work pass applications is liable to a fine not exceeding $20,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both. Their work pass privileges may also be suspended, and the work pass applicant may be barred from working in Singapore. Those who collude with companies by providing their particulars for fraudulent CPF contributions to meet the requirements for work pass applications may also be prosecuted.

4 Members of the public who are aware of illegal employment activities, such as persons receiving CPF contributions from companies that they are not working for, should report the matter to MOM via MOM’s eService “Report an infringement”. All information provided will be kept confidential.