A Driver from China Received a $70 Parking Fine & Tried to Bribe Parking Warden with $10

By now, you probably know that Singapore takes corruption very seriously. And if you didn’t, the Iswaran case has made sure the whole world knows it too.

Except, apparently, this guy from China.

Chinese Driver Jailed for Attempting to Bribe Parking Warden with $10

Guo Chuankui, a 46-year-old driver from China, ended up in jail after trying to dodge a parking fine by offering a $10 bribe to a parking warden. A simple mistake that cost him way more than ten bucks.

The incident happened on 4 April 2023. Guo had parked his company’s vehicle illegally on a road with double yellow lines near a construction site and walked off. Unfortunately for Guo, parking warden Mr Vikneswaran Kumaran, who works for Certis Cisco, showed up and started issuing a ticket.

Guo returned just in time to see Mr Vikneswaran placing the ticket on his vehicle. He tried to talk his way out of it, even offering to treat the parking warden to some tea when he learned that the fine was $70.

When Mr Vikneswaran was about to leave and report the situation, Guo pulled out all the stops—or rather, a $10 note—and offered it to the warden.

Mr Vikneswaran refused, but Guo didn’t back down. He placed the $10 bill right on top of the warden’s motorcycle speedometer.

Guess you could say Guo doesn’t take “no” for an answer.

Mr Vikneswaran, staying firmly on the right side of the law, sought advice from his superior, who instructed him to call the police. Guo was arrested and ended up in court later that year.

On 4 October, Guo pled guilty to a graft charge and got himself a three-week stay in jail.

That’s a hefty price to pay for trying to avoid a $70 parking fine.

Singapore has no tolerance for corruption. Those caught can face up to five years in jail and a fine of up to $100,000—far more serious than a cup of tea or a $10 bribe.

And no: you can’t negotiate.