A 40-year-old Chinese national received an eight-week jail sentence in Singapore after authorities discovered her employment was secured through the use of a false identity.
Court documents revealed that her thumbprint matched the records for two different names, implicating her in identity fraud and immigration offences.
False Identity Used for Work in Singapore
The woman, Yu Xiaoming, arrived in Singapore and used a counterfeit identity card bearing a different name to apply for and secure employment.
Her deception went undetected during routine checks. It was only during an identity verification process that officials uncovered inconsistencies in her documentation, leading to a deeper investigation.
According to Lianhe Zaobao, she faced 11 charges for immigration-related offences and pleaded guilty to two of them. The remaining charges are taken into consideration by the judge during sentencing.
Biometric Evidence Links Woman to Two Identities
Forensic examination confirmed that her thumbprint matched two separate records, one registered under her genuine identity and another under the fake name.
This triggered her arrest by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), which subsequently pressed charges for false representation and the use of forged documents.
Investigation Uncovers Forged Documentation
She first entered Singapore legally in July 2006, was denied employment and deported in 2008, then obtained a fake passport under her relative’s identity, “Liu Xiaolan,” and re-entered in November 2008.
She worked with an employment pass under the fake name from December 2008 to September 2013, then returned to China.
Between 20 Oct 2015 and 12 Apr 2025, she made multiple applications for long-term visit passes, falsely declaring she had never entered Singapore under a false identity.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
The court sentenced her to eight weeks’ jail after considering the duration and intent of the deception. The prosecution referenced previous cases of identity fraud where similar penalties were issued.
The woman pleaded guilty and expressed remorse during sentencing.
Authorities Highlight Use of Thumbprint Verification
ICA officers used biometric evidence to affirm the link between her real identity and her assumed persona.
Reports indicated that this case marked one of the few instances where thumbprints were the decisive factor in resolving identity discrepancies in local employment investigations.
The judgment was delivered on 7 Nov 2025, with the court ruling in accordance with Singapore’s laws on identity-related offences and immigration acts.
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