2 Women Being Investigated for Using Stolen Info to Take Free Masks

Seeing as masks are, for the foreseeable future, a necessary part of your wardrobe, one might not be enough for you.

Then, the question is, what do you do about it?

Buy more?

Or, maybe, ask for extras from friends who reuse them like their underwear?

For the two women that we’re going to talk about, they decided to take the third option.

Steal them.

2 Women Being Investigated for Using Stolen Info to Take Free Masks

On 12 Mar 2021, the police revealed that two women, aged 43 and 56, are being investigated for mask crimes (again).

Yes, it’s a thing.

They are suspected of cheating and using stolen information to redeem the masks in separate cases, the police said.

Case 1: Chai Chee Avenue

On 3 Mar 2021, the police received a report from a victim who was unable to redeem her face mask.

According to Temasek Holdings’ records, the face mask was already redeemed.

By following up on images from police cameras and CCTVs in the vicinity, the police arrested a 56-year-old woman on 11 Mar 2021.

The woman had allegedly collected more than 20 face masks illegally from various vending machines in the Pasir Ris area.

Case 2: Orchard Road

On 5 Mar 2021, a report was made from a person who was unable to collect her face mask from a vending machine in Orchard Road.

Police officers from Tanglin Police Division were activated and they managed to identify the suspect on Monday.

The 43-year-old woman had also used illegally obtained personal information to collect five free masks in the Ang Mo Kio area.

For cheating, they can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined.

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

Not The Only Ones

Turns out, these two ladies aren’t the only ones out there trying their luck.

According to the SPF, they’ve been receiving similar reports in other residential estates.

They are increasing their efforts to catch ’em all, just like a certain Pokemon master we all know and love.

In Dec 2020, three people were arrested for taking free masks illegally with stolen information.

The first case involved a 38-year-old man who allegedly used personal information that was illegally obtained to redeem over 40 reusable face masks from a vending machine located along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10.

For the same offence, a 41-year-old woman was arrested after she redeemed more than 60 reusable face masks without authorisation from a vending machine at Clementi Community Centre.

The last offender, a 52-year-old man, was also arrested after he allegedly used illegally obtained personal information to redeem over 60 reusable face masks at a vending machine along Bedok Reservoir Road.

Similarly, the police believed these cases to be unrelated as well.

What To Do If You Can’t Redeem Your Mask

On a separate note, if you can’t redeem your mask, and you know you’ve not collected it before, call the Temasek Holdings hotline at 1800-738-2000 from 9am to 9pm daily.

You can also email them at [email protected].

Do take note that the latest mask distribution exercise will end tomorrow (14 Mar) so collect them if you haven’t.

For tips on how to get masks in the correct size, you can read about Ho Ching’s tips here.