Company Director Jailed for Forgery and Cheating, Defrauding MND of S$43,000
In a shocking turn of events, a company director in Singapore has been sentenced to nine months and four weeks in jail for forgery and cheating, defrauding the Ministry of National Development (MND) of a staggering S$43,000. Choo Chiang Wei, 50, admitted guilt to one charge of criminal conspiracy to cheat with co-accused Tan Kia Lim, 68, along with 10 charges of abetting forgery. The remaining charges against Choo were considered during sentencing, as he faced a total of 68 charges, predominantly related to forgery.
Irregularities Uncovered by Auditor-General’s Office
The offenses came to light in May 2019 when the Auditor-General’s Office discovered irregularities during an audit of MND’s procurement and contractor management practices for its building facilities. Choo was the sole director of Tree Trading & Engineering, a company specializing in mechanical engineering and electrical works that operated as a subcontractor for Kim Yew Electrical & Sanitary. Kim Yew held a term contract to provide facilities maintenance to MND from January 2013 to March 2022, which outlined fixed prices for certain electrical and maintenance works.
Deceptive Practices and False Quotations
Choo and Tan, a director at Kim Yew, devised a discount scheme before 2015, where Tree Trading offered a 15% discount for star rate items under Kim Yew’s government contracts. In return, Tree Trading would be the default subcontractor for works Kim Yew couldn’t handle alone, receiving early payments. This led to inflated prices paid by MND, with the discount not being passed on. Between 2015 and 2018, MND unknowingly paid Kim Yew S$287,386 for star rate items, resulting in a dishonest gain of S$43,107.90.
Forged Quotations and Legal Ramifications
To ensure Tree Trading’s quotations appeared as the lowest, Choo instructed an employee to forge quotations from other subcontractors, utilizing letterheads from past business dealings. Despite not financially benefiting from the scheme, Choo was sentenced to jail for up to 10 years for cheating and up to four years for forgery, signaling the seriousness of his actions.
Personal Transformation and Legal Defense
In an unexpected turn, Choo’s defense lawyer attributed the offenses to his lack of experience in the construction industry and misunderstanding the discount scheme as a common industry practice. Choo has since shifted Tree Trading’s focus to bicycle repairs and accessories, distancing himself from construction. The case serves as a cautionary tale of the repercussions of fraudulent practices and the importance of transparency and integrity in business dealings.
