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SINGAPORE \u2013 Ten people have been arrested in relation to alleged fraudulent work pass applications, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). <\/p>\n
In a statement on April 1, MOM said the suspects, who included directors and employees from five construction firms, were nabbed in an islandwide enforcement operation on March 31.<\/p>\n
Another 41 people are also assisting in investigations over their suspected involvement in such illegal arrangements, the ministry said. <\/p>\n
The ministry is also probing the Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions of another group of more than 40 people in relation to the five firms. <\/p>\n
The five companies had allegedly made CPF contributions to Singaporeans and permanent residents not under their employment, also known as \u201cphantom workers\u201d, to inflate their quota to hire foreigners, MOM said. <\/p>\n
The companies then used the inflated quota to apply for work passes for more foreigners. <\/p>\n
If convicted of making false declarations in work pass applications, the individuals could be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $20,000.<\/p>\n
Their work pass privileges may also be suspended and they could be barred from working in Singapore. <\/p>\n
Those who collude with companies by providing their particulars for fraudulent CPF contributions to meet the requirements for work pass applications may also be prosecuted, MOM said.<\/p>\n
The ministry said that those who are aware of illegal employment activities should report the matter through its online form<\/span><\/a>. <\/p>\n All information will be kept confidential, it added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n