Police have arrested seven men and two women from renovation firm “Upgrading General Contractor” for their suspected involvement in multiple cases of Cheating by Personation.
The suspects allegedly claimed they are representatives from HDB, Town Councils or other government agencies in order to gain access to housing units and secure business for renovation/repair works. Most of the reports involved elderly victims.
On 28 January, officers from Tanglin Police Division conducted an operation that resulted in the arrests of the suspects. Persons found guilty of committing Cheating by Personation may be punished with an imprisonment of up to five years and fine.
The Singapore Police Force and HDB remind the public to be aware of persons that claim to be HDB affiliated Renovation Contractors, and they should not also sign or pay for any services until they fully understand what they are paying for.
These bogus contractors usually target the elderly and operate during business hours, when the elderly are likely left alone at home.
To solicit business from residents, these contractors may claim that HDB has commissioned them to carry out certain repair works within the estate. They may also claim that HDB will take action against them should they refuse to have the repair works.
HDB said it will send out circulars or put up notices to inform residents in advance of any rectification or maintenance works to be carried out in the flats.
Image (by Singapore Police Force/ HDB): Receipt books, company passes and mobile phones were seized as case exhibits.
Muneerah Bee, Senior Journalist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this or other stories email muneerah@propertyguru.com.sg
