Man Arrested for Redeeming More Than 200 Masks By Using Other People’s Personal Info

The government is giving out free masks worth $10?! 

I can see a big business opportunity there.

*Redeems 200 masks*

Now, before you think this is the plot for the latest Ocean Eleven movie, think again, because this really happened in Singapore.

People Are Not Able To Redeem Their Government-Issued Masks

On 29 May, the Singapore Police Force came out to say that they’ve received reports from many users about being unable to redeem their masks from the 24-hour vending machines.

When they checked, it was found that these people have already redeemed theirs.

Now, there are only two possible reasons:

1. These people are typical Singaporeans looking to earn an extra reusable mask on the government’s tab
2. Or someone out there has been committing identity theft

Turns out, it’s option number 2.

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Man Arrested for Redeeming More Than 200 Masks By Using Other People’s Personal Info

Bedok Division police officers immediately got into action.

They checked the CCTV footage and realised a 32-year-old man had redeemed more than 200 masks from the vending machine between 26 and 28 May 2020.

How did he do it?

It seems that previously, he was a manpower recruiter for a recruitment agency.

He illegally obtained the personal information of the victims from his previous job and used them to redeem the government-issued reusable masks.

Facing Jail Time & Fine

He was arrested on 28 May 2020 and will be charged in court today (Saturday).

If found guilty of cheating, he could be jailed up to 10 years and fined.

For keeping illegally-obtained information, he can be jailed up to 3 years, fined up to $10,000, or both.

Masks Are Safe, Don’t Worry

Thankfully, the Singapore police force managed to recover the masks, more than 200 of them, in good condition.

After all, with masks that were bound for Singapore falling off the cargo ship and people who unknowingly destroyed their masks, every mask counts now.

Remember not to machine-wash your new reusable masks, handwash them instead or you could end up like these people.

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