The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) has set up an online page for those who wish to return their Covid-19 Temporary Relief Fund (TRF) payout.

Many called ComCare hotline to return TRF

Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee shared in a Facebook post on Friday, April 17 that the ComCare hotline received many calls from those wanting to return their TRF.

The one-off cash assistance of S$500 is meant for those who have lost their jobs or face a 30 per cent loss of income due to Covid-19, and help with basic living expenses, according to MSF.

However, while over 300,000 applications for the TRF payout have been processed, some have been identified by the police to have possibly abused the system.

Abuse of the TRF could result in a jail sentence

Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said on Monday, April 13, that those who have abused the system could receive a heavy jail sentence, up to 10 years in prison for a cheating offence.

However, he added that the authorities are unlikely to take action against those who have returned the money.

Lee shared in his post that several have called the ComCare hotline to return the money, and recommended that they return their money via an online portal that has been set up specifically for TRF refunds instead.

For those who want to return their unbanked TRF cheques/cashiers order, they can do so at their nearest Social Service Office (SSO).

Lee added that there was no need to call the ComCare hotline to ask about how to return the TRF.

"Let’s free-up the hotline for our ComCare clients and those who need social assistance, so that they can receive the help that they need," Lee said.

Police investigating those who abused TRF

According to a joint statement released by SPF and MSF on April 12, they were alerted to the incident after an Internet user made an online post, claiming that he was able to obtain the TRF aid without any documents and that the system was “so simple to cheat”.

The police have identified a 41-year-old Singaporean man, and investigations are ongoing.

The police are also aware that there are advertisements on social media purportedly selling forged payslips for the purpose of making fraudulent TRF claims.

"MSF and the Police treat such cases seriously and will not hesitate to take action against anyone who abuses and/or facilitates the abuse of the TRF."

Members of the public are warned that these advertisements may be scams and are advised not to respond to them," the statement wrote.

Read Desmond Lee's full post here:

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Top image via Desmond Lee/Facebook, Gov.sg/YouTube