Your company isn’t paying you enough. What do you do?
March into your boss’ office and persuade them to increase your wages with the full suite of your eloquence and wit? Wait with a sabre outside their office and challenge them to a noble duel to the death because the low salary insults your dignity? Fake your previous earnings to trick the company into paying you more?
Oops, the last one might get you in jail.
SingPost Senior VP Allegedly Deceived Company Into Paying Him $840,000 in Wages Over 4 Yrs
Liang An Wey, 46, is accused of cheating SingPost and deceiving them into paying a higher salary than they otherwise would have, according to The Straits Times.
In his 2013 job application to SingPost, he falsely led the company into believing that his previous position in a private sector firm paid him $14,500 a month.
This led to SingPost deciding on a remuneration of $15,000 monthly, which it paid for 56 months. The amount Liang received totalled to $840,000.
Just imagine what that amount of money can do. Finance my university education? Buy the fancy supercar everyone wants but no one really needs? Afford one (1) emergency room visit in the United States?
But that money wasn’t enough for Liang, apparently. While in his position as a Senior Vice President of SingPost, Liang also attempted to solicit a $1 million bribe from the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a mechanical and engineering contractor called Bintai Kindenko.
In exchange, the firm would be recommended for contracts related to the renovation of the SingPost Centre Retail Mall, and other construction projects under the SingPost Office Asset Enhancement Initiative.
Hi Bintai Kindenko, here’s a deal. Bribe me with $1 million instead, and I’ll recommend you for contracts to redevelop SingPost property too.Â
Unfortunately, that money only got him in court. Liang was charged on Monday (10 May) for one count of cheating and one count of corruption, and will return to court for a further mention on 8 June.
At the moment, he is out on a $5,000 bail.
Cheating carries a punishment of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine, while corruption means a maximum punishment of up to five years of jail and $100,000 in fines.
The Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act also provides that any bribes he received will be seized by the government through a confiscation order.Â
Unfortunately then, Liang won’t get to emerge from jail in five years and enjoy the rest of his wealth. I’m sure the Ministry of Finance (MOF) will appreciate his contribution to Singapore’s fiscal policy.
Feature Image: i viewfinder / Shutterstock.com
Would you be jailed for being half-naked in public? Well, the answer will shock you. Seriously. Watch this to the end and you'll understand:
