Man allegedly reported fake theft to S'pore police to evade customs tax, wife helped to hide jewellery

A couple has been arrested in Singapore after allegedly telling the police that the husband was robbed to evade overseas custom tax.

The 30-year-old husband lodged a police report on Mar. 4, claiming that he had been the victim of a snatch theft along Queen Street, the police shared in a news release.

He alleged that a stranger had stolen his black sling bag containing gold jewellery, a mobile phone, and S$400 in cash.

The items were worth about S$21,668 in total, he said.

Deeming the case to be serious, the police deployed significant resources to investigate the alleged offence and to search for the perpetrator.

Revelations

However, the police's follow-up investigations revealed discrepancies in the man's account.

Upon further questioning, he allegedly admitted that he had lodged a false report in order to evade overseas customs tax.

The police also discovered that his wife was aware of the false report, and had assisted him by concealing the gold jewellery in a bottle hidden in her haversack.

The couple had allegedly obstructed justice by concealing this evidence, the police said.

Obstruction of justice

Both husband and wife will be charged in court on Mar. 6 with obstruction of justice with common intention.

This offence carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years, or a fine, or both.

The man will face an additional charge of providing false information to a public servant.

A person convicted on this charge can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both.

The police reminded members of the public that police resources must be directed towards addressing genuine crimes and emergencies, rather than investigating false reports.

They warned that those who lodge false police reports or provide false information will be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law.

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