9 foreigners deported for recruiting travellers to carry gold, phones back to home country in exchange for cash

Nine foreign nationals were arrested in a joint operation at Changi Airport for their suspected involvement in illegal touting activities.

Officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Changi Airport Group (CAG) acted on information received and arrested the individuals on Mar. 22.

Investigations revealed that the individuals held Work Permits, S Passes or Social Visit Passes.

They would approach travellers of the same nationality and solicit them to carry gold and mobile phones back to their home countries.

The items would then be handed over to their counterparts in their home countries in exchange for a cash reward.

Once the investigations were concluded, MOM revoked eight individuals' work passes, and ICA cancelled one individual's Short-Term Visit Pass.

All nine of them were deported and barred from re-entering Singapore.

Under the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Act, those touting in the airport will be issued a Prohibition Order and can be arrested for criminal trespassing if the Order is flouted.

Foreign nationals found engaging in such activities may also have their immigration or employment status revoked and be barred from re-entering Singapore.

"The Singapore authorities would also like to remind travellers to avoid carrying goods on behalf of strangers, as doing so may expose them to security risks, or arrest and prosecution for involvement in illicit activities."

Top photos via Unsplash