S'pore man, 51, paid S$6,000 to help girlfriend enter fake marriage with another man to extend stay in S'pore, gets 15 weeks' jail

A 51-year-old man was sentenced to 15 weeks in prison after paying for his girlfriend's fake marriage with another Singaporean so she could remain in the country long-term.

He even served as a witness at the ceremony.

According to Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao, the man, Ye Yongjian (transliteration), pleaded guilty to one charge of violating immigration laws and was sentenced in court on May 5.

The scheme

Citing court documents, Zaobao reported that Ye met his girlfriend, 33-year-old Chinese national Cao Rongrong (transliteration), in December 2021 and the two began dating in March 2022.

Two months later, Cao told her friend Yan Jicai (transliteration) that she hoped to extend her stay in Singapore by getting married.

On May 27, 2022, Yan approached a Singaporean man, Chen Weiyu (transliteration), and asked if he would be willing to enter into a sham marriage with Cao.

He offered to pay Chen S$1,000 a month, adding that the amount was negotiable.

Chen initially declined, but agreed the following day.

Yan then applied to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Chen's behalf for approval to marry Cao, who held a work permit at the time.

As Cao's employer was intending to cancel the permit, Yan advised Chen to check with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), and to also prepare a convincing story about how he and Cao had met, so as not to raise suspicion.

Chen also suggested that Cao leave Singapore first until MOM gave their approval.

On Jun. 9, 2022, MOM approved the marriage application, at which point Cao was still in Singapore.

Ye's role

According to Zaobao, Chen invited Yan to serve as a witness during the ceremony, and the latter agreed, saying that he could raise Chen's monthly payment to S$1,500, with an additional S$500 for drinking expenses.

Cao then asked Ye, who was aware of the sham marriage, to co-witness the wedding.

He helped book a restaurant for the ceremony, and Cao also used his credit card to purchase a wedding ring.

The "wedding" was later held on Jul. 9, 2022, with Ye and Yan in attendance as witnesses.

At Cao's request, Ye also gave the officiating solemniser a red packet containing S$108.

Paid S$6,000 in total

It was later agreed that Chen would receive S$1,500 a month as compensation, Zaobao reported.

Between July and October 2022, Ye paid Chen a total of S$6,000 in four instalments on Cao's behalf, who later repaid him in cash.

Chen subsequently applied for short-term visit passes for Cao twice, on Jul. 12 and Aug. 11, 2022, as well as for a long-term visit pass on Jul. 13, 2022.

All applications were approved.

Sentencing

According to Zaobao, Ye was arrested on Mar. 20, 2024, though documents did not reveal how the arrangement came to light.

Chen had earlier been sentenced to six months and two weeks in prison, while Cao and Yan were each sentenced to six months in prison.