A Vietnamese woman, Le Thuy Trieu, was sentenced to nine months in prison and fined S$4,000on September 13 for orchestrating a marriage of convenience between a Singaporean man and another Vietnamese woman.
On September 13, 2024, a 41-year-old Vietnamese woman named Le Thuy Trieu (“Le”) received a sentence of nine months in prison and a fine of $4,000 for facilitating a marriage of convenience (MOC) between a 52-year-old Singaporean man, Hoo Kee Hwa (“Hoo”), and a 32-year-old Vietnamese woman, Vuong Thi My Tuyen (“Vuong”), in order to gain immigration benefits in Singapore. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced the sentencing in a news release.
Le, aged 41, facilitated a sham marriage in 2016 between 52-year-old Singaporean Hoo Kee Hwa and 32-year-old Vuong Thi My Tuyen. The arrangement aimed to help Vuong extend her stay in Singapore, and in return, Hoo was promised financial compensation between S$8,000 and S$10,000.
Due to his gambling debts and financial troubles, Hoo accepted the offer.
According to the ICA, Le proposed that the marriage remain intact for three years, after which a divorce would be arranged. She also connected with Vuong’s mother, Luong Thi My Hang, to present the marriage proposal, which both mother and daughter agreed to.
The marriage was solemnized on August 19, 2016, but ICA noted that it was never consummated.
Luong paid Le S$16,000 for her role in the scheme, from which Le compensated Hoo with S$10,000 and kept the rest.
Hoo also received monthly payments of S$400 to S$500 from Vuong as part of her sponsorship for visit pass applications and extensions to prolong her stay in Singapore.
The scheme unraveled when Hoo and Vuong were arrested on February 8, 2022, after ICA discovered that Vuong was not residing at their declared address. Later that year, they were both convicted under the Immigration Act, resulting in six months’ imprisonment and a fine of S$8,000 each in late 2022.
In a further twist, Luong was arrested in February 2023 upon entering Singapore and subsequently received a six-month jail sentence for her involvement in the fraudulent arrangement.
“The ICA will continue to take firm enforcement action against errant couples and middlemen,” the authority warned, highlighting the seriousness of such offenses.
Violators of marriage of convenience laws can face fines up to S$10,000, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. Those making false statements to obtain immigration benefits may also face up to 12 months in jail, fines of up to S$4,000, or both.
Image via google for illustration
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