Suspected Criminal Syndicate Believed to be Involved in Employment-Related Offences
On 21 July 2026, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) arrested 14 subjects for suspected employment-related offences in an enforcement operation conducted across multiple locations.
2 The 14 subjects comprised four directors and nine foreign workers from the companies, and one key appointment holder from an employment agency. MOM is investigating these individuals for suspected offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) involving false declarations and collection of employment-related kickbacks, as well as under the Employment Agencies Act (EAA) for unlicensed employment agency activities.
3 The directors are suspected to have brought in migrant workers through inflated foreign worker quotas. MOM is also investigating these individuals for suspected fraudulent Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions made to 139 locals who are not under the employment of these companies, i.e. “phantom workers”, who may have been recruited to inflate the companies' foreign worker quotas.
Penalties for Employment Offences
4 Under the EFMA, making false declarations in work pass applications carries a fine of up to $20,000, an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both. MOM will also bar entities or individuals convicted of such offences from employing foreign workers. Those who collude with companies by providing their particulars for fraudulent CPF contributions to inflate foreign worker quotas may also be prosecuted for abetment of false declaration, which carries a fine of up to $20,000, an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both. The collection of employment-related kickbacks is an offence punishable with a fine of up to $30,000, an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both.
5 Under the EAA, those found guilty of operating an employment agency without a license may face a fine of up to $80,000, an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both.
6 MOM would like to remind members of the public not to accept CPF contributions from businesses they are not working for, as they may be guilty of aiding in false declaration offences by errant employers. Members of the public who are aware of suspicious employment activities, or who know of persons or employers who may have contravened the EFMA, should report the matter to MOM through its eService, “Report an infringement”. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential.