A Woman Allegedly Took 460 Reusable Masks with Stolen Information

Some people steal to feed their family.

Others steal because they like expensive products.

But we Singaporeans are a little unique; we steal free face masks.

Due to the hoarding of face masks and online scams, the government has carried out several mask distribution exercises, to ensure that all residents have access to free masks.

Despite receiving four free reusable masks from the government, some residents here weren’t satisfied and decided they wanted more.

Like several hundred more.

A Woman Allegedly Took 460 Reusable Masks with Stolen Information

10 people are being investigated by the police for allegedly illegally redeeming reusable face masks from vending machines across the country.

The 10 alleged offenders have been categorised into three separate cases.

The first involves seven teenagers and a 12-year-old boy who allegedly redeemed more than 90 reusable masks from vending machines illegally.

In the second case, a 33-year-old is under investigation for the alleged unauthorised redemption of two reusable face masks from a vending machine at Tanjong Pagar Community Centre.

These nine offenders have nothing on a 47-year-old woman, though, who took mask stealing to a whole new level.

According to The Straits Times, the woman was accused of illegally obtaining personal information to redeem over 460 reusable face masks from a vending machine at Yio Chu Kang Community Centre.

Given that no one uses face masks for leisure, the woman must have been planning to resell them.

The 47-year-old has since been arrested.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that these cases are believed to be unrelated. Footages from police cameras and CCTV cameras fixed in the vending machines have aided the police in the identification of these suspects,” the police said.

These 10 people aren’t the only ones running around stealing masks.

The police said it has received similar reports in other residential estates, and are ramping up efforts to identify and apprehend these perpetrators.

If convicted of cheating, these offenders could face up to 10 years’ jail, a fine, or both.

Retaining illegally obtained personal information carries a jail term of up to three years, a maximum fine of $10,000, or both.

Grocery Voucher Theft

This incident brings to mind another ridiculous incident, where residents went around stealing grocery vouchers from needy families.

According to Second Minister for Finance Indranee Rajah, a total of 55 people have been arrested for stealing Budget 2020 grocery vouchers.

229 vouchers sets had reportedly been stolen.

The scheme was set up to help lower-income Singaporeans with their household expenses, so naturally, Singaporeans stole it.

In a year where almost everyone except Jeff Bezos is having a tough time, let’s not make things more difficult for others.