ICA raids: S'porean man, 59 & woman, 52, a Chinese national, arrested for suspected marriage of convenience offence

A 59-year-old Singaporean man and a 52-year-old woman, a Chinese national, were arrested following early morning raids by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Aug. 27.

The duo are suspected of making false declarations in applications for immigration facilities and committing marriage of convenience offences.

ICA officers went to a rental apartment in Chinatown to look for the woman, and to a public flat in Fernvale in Sengkang to look for the man.

The enforcement operations were conducted simultaneously.

What ICA was looking for

ICA said it began investigating the case following internal screenings.

Preliminary investigations found that the pair had solemnised their marriage in January 2025 but were not living together.

The man had allegedly sponsored the woman's applications for a long-term visit pass, in which she declared she was staying at his residence.

Both work as janitors, but for separate companies.

Before the raid, ICA officers conducted a pre-operation briefing at about 4:10am covering the case background, the identities of the two and the two locations involved.

ICA officers then moved off to both locations at about 4:35am.

Chinatown

Officers began observing the woman's rental apartment at 4:45am.

They entered the residence at about 6:54am and questioned the woman on her marriage and living arrangements.

The ICA officers asked how long she had been staying at the residence, who else lived there, and when she got married.

Officers also questioned the other tenants living in the apartment.

Eight other occupants of the apartment had their details taken down, as they may be called on to assist with investigations later.

Officers also searched her personal belongings, and she was seen producing documents from her luggage and her closet.

Inside the unit, a makeshift bamboo pole had been strung across the middle of the living area to hang clothes.

The room where she was staying contained several beds, with towels hung between them for some semblance of privacy.

A smell of urine emanated from one of the rooms.

The woman was arrested at about 7:35am for suspected false declarations made in applications for immigration facilities.

Fernvale

Officers began observing the man's flat at 4:50am.

They entered the residence at about 5:20am and interviewed the man about his marriage and living arrangements.

He was asked about the whereabouts of his spouse, how the two had met, and whether she lived with him.

His nephew, mother and domestic helper, who were also present, were interviewed as well.

He was arrested at about 7am.

Both were taken back to the ICA for further investigation.

Post raid

After their arrests, both individuals were questioned.

11 arrested in 2 weeks

Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Tan Hwee Wang Mitchell, officer-in-charge of ICA's Intelligence Division, said 11 people had been arrested over the past two weeks for suspected false declarations in applications for immigration facilities, and would be investigated for possible MOC offences.

He said: "ICA will continue to conduct rigorous and regular inland enforcement operations to keep Singapore safe and secure. We also urge the public to report suspected cases of MOC and other immigration-related offences to ICA."

What happens next

Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Justino Guo, deputy officer-in-charge of ICA's Enforcement Division, said investigators work to establish the facts once a case is referred.

He said: "This can include interviewing suspects and witnesses, as well as gathering and examining evidence including physical documents and digital records, such as phone calls, emails, or CCTV footage."

He said cases are then submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) for prosecutorial assessment.

The courts then decide on sentencing if someone is prosecuted and convicted.

He added: "For foreigners convicted of immigration-related offences, ICA may take further action such as deportation and being barred from re-entering Singapore, where appropriate."

The penalties

The marriage of convenience (MOC) offence carries a fine of up to S$10,000, up to 10 years' jail, or both.

Making false statements to obtain immigration facilities carries a fine of up to S$8,000, up to 12 months' jail, or both.

MOC arrests fell sharply last year

According to ICA's annual statistics, 15 people were arrested for MOC-related offences in 2025, down 63.4 per cent from 41 in 2024.