A 41-year-old man who allegedly used his position as a deputy manager at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) to make more than 180 unauthorised bookings of its football facilities is set to face cheating and forgery charges.
And these were not just a handful of bookings made over a short period.
According to preliminary police investigations, the alleged bookings took place over approximately three years and resulted in more than S$130,000 in lost revenue for the university.
Police Received Report in July 2025
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said it received a report on 3 July 2025 concerning a man who had allegedly used his position as an SUTD deputy manager to make several unauthorised bookings.
Investigations subsequently found that he had allegedly made more than 180 unauthorised bookings involving the university’s football facilities.
Police said the bookings resulted in a total revenue loss of more than S$130,000 to SUTD.
That works out to a substantial amount of potential booking revenue allegedly lost over the approximately three-year period.
The police did not provide details on who ultimately used the facilities under the bookings, how individual bookings were made, or how the alleged scheme was first detected.
Booking Records Allegedly Deleted
The case also involves allegations that records were removed from SUTD’s booking system.
Police believe that the man deleted booking records in an attempt to conceal his actions.
He is due to face charges of cheating under Section 417 of the Penal Code and forgery under Section 465.
For context, a cheating offence under that provision can carry up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Forgery can carry up to four years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The possible penalties are the maximum penalties prescribed for the offences and do not mean that they will necessarily be imposed in this case.
Police Warn Against Abuse of Positions of Trust
SPF said it takes a serious view of people who abuse positions of trust to commit criminal offences and that it would take action against those who disregard the law.
Mothership reported on 23 September that the 41-year-old was slated to be charged that day for his suspected involvement in cheating and forgery.
At this stage, the allegations against the man have not been proven in court, and he should not be regarded as convicted unless and until the court determines the case.
