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Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n A Singaporean man\u2019s son, Tay Yi Cong, was jailed for seven years after stealing S$1.6 million from his adoptive father to fund gambling and luxury spending.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n The 29-year-old former Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) regular also stole from colleagues and a bunkmate, causing total victim losses of about S$1.83 million.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Tay used his father\u2019s Central Provident Fund (CPF) account to take S$533,800, then spent the full amount at Resorts World Sentosa Casino.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n SINGAPORE: A 29-year-old Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) regular stole S$1.6 million from his adoptive father to feed a gambling habit.<\/p>\n The stolen sum included S$533,800 from his father\u2019s Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings, which Tay Yi Cong later spent at Resorts World Sentosa Casino.<\/p>\n Tay was sentenced to seven years\u2019 jail after pleading guilty to seven charges. Another 28 charges were taken into consideration, Channel NewsAsia (CNA)<\/em> reported (Aug 13). <\/p>\n Tay had accumulated about S$60,000 in debt while gambling in Taiwan. He first stole from people around him, including a bunkmate and his younger brother. <\/p>\n He also stole a Rolex watch worth S$11,900 at a casino.<\/p>\n After returning to Singapore, Tay used his father\u2019s personal details to obtain loans and credit cards from five banks. <\/p>\n He then accessed his father\u2019s bank accounts and transferred funds to his own accounts.<\/p>\n Tay knew his father needed facial scanning to withdraw CPF funds. He posed as a CPF staff member and convinced his father to complete the scan.<\/p>\n He then changed the withdrawal limit and transferred S$533,800 into his father\u2019s bank account before taking it all.<\/p>\n When his father noticed missing money, Tay posed as bank staff and blamed the banking system for the problems. He later forged a police report to delay discovery.<\/p>\n His father finally discovered the CPF withdrawal on March 11, 2024. Tay fled to Taiwan after hearing police were investigating.<\/p>\n Tay committed further offences against two SAF regulars while in Taiwan. He returned to Singapore on June 17, 2024, and was arrested at Changi Airport. <\/p>\n He made only S$37,700 in restitution to his father. The victims suffered total losses of about S$1.83 million.<\/p>\n District Judge Kamala Ponnampalam said the extent of Tay\u2019s deception warranted a stiff sentence. Deputy Public Prosecutor Ariel Tan also stressed the harm caused by betraying his own father\u2019s retirement savings.<\/p>\n The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said Tay had been suspended since his arrest. The SAF will take disciplinary and administrative action, which may include discharging him.<\/p>\n Trust should never mean giving anyone unrestricted access to your money. Passwords, account access, and financial checks should never be taken lightly, even at home. <\/p>\n Simple safeguards, including stronger passwords, can help protect families from such financial abuse.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nGambling debts opened the door to bigger theft<\/strong><\/h2>\n
CPF savings became the biggest target<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Seven years\u2019 jail follows months of deception<\/strong><\/h2>\n