S'pore woman, then 19, uses grandfather's licence to help boyfriend & friend rent car, says she was influenced by boyfriend

A 22-year-old woman was sentenced to 21 months' probation supervision after she previously handed her grandfather's driver's licence to her boyfriend, who reportedly impersonated the elderly man to rent a car eight times.

Shin Min Daily News reported that the couple had secretly taken photos of the elderly man's licence and used them to apply for an account to rent a car.

The woman, then 19, also lent the account to a friend's boyfriend who supposedly got involved in an accident.

Pleaded guilty

Following this, the case was brought to light when the car rental platform told her grandfather to pay for damages due to the accident.

Shin Min reported that the defendant faced four charges, which included providing false information, impersonation, fraud, and illegally obtaining personal information.

She pleaded guilty to two charges, with the other two to be taken into consideration during sentencing.

Took photos of licence

In September 2022, her boyfriend, who did not have a driver's licence, asked the woman if she knew how to register an account on a car rental platform.

She then pretended that she needed to see her 74-year-old grandfather's driver's licence, Shin Min reported, adding that her grandfather produced it out of trust.

The woman then handed the licence to her boyfriend, who reportedly took photos of both sides when the elderly man was not looking.

Boyfriend impersonated grandfather

She also used her grandfather's personal information to register an account on a car rental platform.

After linking her own phone number, email address and bank card to the account, the woman gave her username, password, and one-time verification code to her boyfriend, Shin Min reported.

In addition, she had him set up fingerprint login on his phone, allowing him to use the car directly without going through her.

Her boyfriend then reportedly impersonated her grandfather to rent a car eight times between Sep. 30, 2022, and Oct. 21, 2022, where one of the trips covered a distance of 168km.

Car accident, case exposed

In October 2022, the defendant also lent the account to a friend, which was used by that friend's boyfriend to rent a car seven times between Oct. 16, 2022, and Oct. 27, 2022.

He was also reportedly involved in a car accident during this period, Shin Min reported, adding that the account using the grandfather's licence was banned by the platform in November 2022.

The next year, in August 2023, the defendant's grandfather was informed via a letter sent from the car rental company that he had to pay about S$4,000 in damages for the accident.

Shin Min reported that since the elderly man was confused, the defendant's mother then contacted the platform and was shocked to find out that an account had been registered using her daughter's phone number and email address.

The defendant claimed, however, that she was unaware of this.

To that, her mother told her to make a police report, after which a police investigation that was launched brought her actions to light.

Lied

On Oct. 5, 2023, the defendant told the police that she suspected her boyfriend had used her Singpass and personal information to register an account, according to Shin Min.

This was in spite of her knowing that she had provided a false statement, Shin Min reported, adding that the woman also helped her grandfather make a report.

She only admitted to her crimes when the police launched an investigation and was arrested on Jun. 11, 2025.

Sentencing

This saw her being sentenced to 21 months of probation, during which she needs to remain indoors from 11pm to 6am each day.

She is also required to complete 90 hours of community service, Shin Min reported, adding that as her guarantor, her mother must ensure her good behaviour.

The defendant, who was accompanied by her mother in court, now has a two-year-old child, Shin Min reported, adding that she was said to be going through divorce proceedings.

Her lawyer said this was her first brush with the law, where she had acted immaturely under her boyfriend's encouragement.

Noting that she had cooperated with the police during her probation, the lawyer added that she was actively searching for a full-time job.

Shin Min reported that the judge said that he hoped the woman would take this as a lesson and reflect during her probation, as well as to set an example for her child, since she was now a mother.