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  Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA), in collaboration with other enforcement agencies, recently conducted a large-scale operation at Woodlands Checkpoint, where 35 motorcyclists were caught with improper license plates. License plates play a crucial role in vehicle identification, enabling authorities to track and regulate road users effectively. Under Singapore’s strict traffic laws, all vehicles must have clearly visible license plates displayed at both the front and rear. Modifying, obscuring, or improperly mounting plates is a violation of these regulations and carries severe penalties. During this enforcement exercise, officers inspected motorcycles passing through Woodlands Checkpoint and found 35 riders violating license plate regulations. Common offenses include using non-standard fonts, modifying plate sizes, or even deliberately tampering with plates to avoid detection by traffic cameras. These modifications are often linked to traffic violations, including spe...

  A 23-year-old Indonesian man will be charged in court on March 12 for allegedly exposing his genitals to a female cabin crew member during a flight to Singapore. The police were alerted to the incident on January 23, but details about the airline and the flight’s origin were not disclosed. According to investigations, the man unzipped his pants while seated, exposed himself, and covered his lower body with a blanket while setting up his mobile phone to record a video. When a flight attendant approached to serve him a meal, he allegedly removed the blanket and exposed his genitals in full view. Shocked by his actions, the crew member immediately left to report the incident to her supervisor. Upon landing at Changi Airport, the man was arrested, and his phone was confiscated for further investigation. Under Singapore law, anyone found guilty of sexual exposure can face up to one year in jail, a fine, or both. The police have reiterated their strict stance on sexual offenses, emphas...

  Three individuals, aged between 17 and 24, will be charged in court on March 7, 2025, for their suspected involvement in separate cases related to money mule activities. Their charges include conspiracy to commit cheating, unauthorized access to computer material, unauthorized disclosure of access codes, and assisting in retaining criminal proceeds. In the first case, a 17-year-old allegedly provided his banking credentials and One-Time Password (OTP) to a criminal syndicate in exchange for $150. He will be charged with unauthorized disclosure of access codes under the Computer Misuse Act 1993, an offense that carries a fine of up to $10,000, a maximum three-year jail term, or both for first-time offenders. The second and third cases involve an 18-year-old and a 24-year-old who reportedly deceived banks into opening six bank accounts. They then sold the iBanking credentials to criminal syndicates for $500 per account. Their charges include conspiracy to commit cheating, unauthori...

  A motorcycle caught fire at the junction of Crawford Street and North Bridge Road on March 7, marking the fifth reported vehicle fire in Singapore within a week. A photo circulating on social media showed the motorcycle engulfed in flames, producing thick black smoke. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed that it was alerted to the fire at around 3:10 pm. Firefighters quickly arrived at the scene and extinguished the blaze using a hose reel and a compressed air foam backpack. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and SCDF is investigating the cause of the fire. This incident follows two vehicle fires reported on March 6. One case involved a bus that caught fire on the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE), while another involved a car in Tampines Street 31. The rapid succession of such incidents has raised concerns about vehicle safety. SCDF’s latest emergency medical services and enforcement statistics for 2024 indicate that vehicle fires make up the largest category of fi...

  An auxiliary police officer stationed at Changi Airport has been charged with criminal breach of trust after allegedly keeping a passenger’s lost AirPods instead of handing them over. Sundar Aravinth, a 29-year-old Indian national, is accused of dishonestly replacing the AirPods Pro, worth $335, with his own unbranded earbuds when submitting lost-and-found items. The case came to light on February 28, when the police received a report of suspected theft at Changi Airport Terminal 2. Investigations revealed that a passenger had left his AirPods on a plane, which was later found by a cabin crew member. The item was then handed over to Sundar, who was on duty at the time. Instead of following protocol, he allegedly kept the AirPods for personal use and submitted a photograph of his own unbranded earbuds to the lost-and-found office, falsely claiming they were the ones recovered. When the passenger arrived to collect his lost item, he immediately noticed that the earphones given to h...

  A former Singapore police officer has been sentenced to seven months in jail for criminal breach of trust after misappropriating nearly S$2,000 from a lost handbag. Muhammad Amzath Khan Abuayubul Ansari, a Singaporean permanent resident, stole the money while on duty at Rochor Neighbourhood Police Centre, driven by his addiction to online gambling and mounting bank debts. The case came to light on August 25, 2024, when a 19-year-old woman discovered that S$1,700 was missing from her handbag and filed a police report. She had accidentally left her handbag outside a condominium while waiting for a private-hire car. When she returned for it, it was missing, but security officers at the condominium informed her they had handed it over to the police station where Amzath worked. Upon retrieving the bag from the station, she realized the cash was gone and immediately lodged a police report. Investigations revealed that on August 25, Amzath was stationed at the police counter when a 43-y...

  On March 4, 2025, authorities conducted two separate operations that led to the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of a significant quantity of drugs worth over SGD 619,000. The confiscated substances, which included heroin, cannabis, methamphetamine, and LSD, were estimated to be enough to supply approximately 2,630 drug abusers for a week. First Raid at a Hotel Near Havelock Road In the early evening, officers raided a hotel room in the Havelock Road area, where a 21-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man were arrested. A search of the room led to the recovery of 340 grams of heroin, 103 grams of Ecstasy, 27 grams of methamphetamine, five Erimin-5 tablets, and cash amounting to SGD 9,180 and MYR 711. Following the arrests, officers conducted a search of the suspects' rented vehicle in the hotel’s car park. This led to the discovery of an additional 2,758 grams of heroin and 515 grams of methamphetamine, further indicating their involvement in large-scale drug trafficki...

  A 45-year-old man has been arrested for his suspected involvement in a case of loanshark harassment. The police were alerted to the incident on the night of March 4, 2025, at about 8.55 pm, after receiving a report of harassment at a residential unit along Tampines Street 22. Upon arrival, officers found that the main gate of the unit had been secured with a bicycle lock, and a debtor’s note had been pasted on it. Such tactics are commonly used in illegal moneylending cases to intimidate borrowers into repayment. Following investigations and with the aid of police camera footage, officers from Bedok Police Division were able to establish the suspect’s identity and arrested him the following day on March 5. Preliminary investigations suggest that the man may be linked to other similar harassment cases across the island. During his arrest, the police seized several items believed to have been used in the harassment, including a mobile phone, a yellow bicycle lock, a red marker, and...

  A bus caught fire on the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) on the evening of March 6, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. The incident, which saw the vehicle engulfed in flames, was captured in images and videos that quickly circulated on social media. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the burning bus, drawing the attention of motorists and passersby. According to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), they were alerted to the fire along the BKE towards the Pan Island Expressway (PIE), just before the Kranji Expressway (KJE) exit. The fire involved a single-deck passenger bus, which was carrying 11 passengers at the time. Fortunately, the driver and all passengers managed to evacuate safely before SCDF personnel arrived at the scene. Firefighters then worked to extinguish the blaze using three water jets. The SCDF confirmed that no injuries were reported, and investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the fire. This incident marks the fourth r...

  A former preschool teacher Lin Min has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of child ill-treatment after being caught on video abusing young children under her care. The 35-year-old, who was employed as a Mandarin teacher at Kinderland, admitted to three charges, while three additional charges will be taken into consideration for sentencing on March 13. The case first gained public attention in 2023 when footage of her actions, secretly recorded by a colleague, was uploaded to social media. The court heard that the teacher had abused four children, aged between one and three, while working at the preschool. One of the victims, identified as V1 in court documents, was one year and ten months old at the time. In June 2023, the teacher noticed that V1’s water bottle remained full, indicating that she had not been drinking water. When the child refused to drink, she forcefully grabbed her, pushed her to the floor, and squeezed her cheeks to pry her mouth open before pouring water down h...

  Singapore Customs successfully disrupted an attempt to distribute duty-unpaid cigarettes, arresting three individuals and seizing 3,600 cartons of contraband cigarettes in operations conducted on March 1, 2025. The total duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) evaded in this case amounted to approximately $389,944. Officers also seized two vans used in the smuggling operation and $19,000 in suspected illegal proceeds. As part of efforts to combat illicit activities involving duty-unpaid goods, Customs officers conducted an operation at a car park along Upper Serangoon Road, where they observed two men approaching two parked vans. Upon inspecting the vehicles, officers found that each van contained 1,800 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes. The two men, both Malaysian nationals aged 36 and 45, were immediately arrested. Following this operation, a follow-up raid was conducted at a residence in Segar Road, where a 37-year-old Singaporean man was arrested. A search of the premises led t...

  A 42-year-old woman was sentenced to four weeks’ jail on March 6 for abusing her domestic helper on multiple occasions in 2023. The offender, Norwahidah Johari, is a Malaysian citizen and a Singapore permanent resident. The victim, 33-year-old Indonesian national Putri Rizki Amelia, was employed by Norwahidah’s husband on March 13, 2023. However, just five months later, Norwahidah began physically and verbally abusing her. The helper was made to sleep in the kitchen from her second day of employment and was repeatedly insulted, with the employer calling her “poor” and “filthy.” The first act of abuse occurred on August 9, 2023, when Norwahidah threw a basket filled with torn waste paper at Ms. Putri’s face. Over time, her aggression escalated—she swung a shoe at the victim, poured an entire bottle of soya sauce over her head, and threw a bowl of flour at her. One incident happened late at night on September 28, 2023, when Norwahidah confronted Ms. Putri over a bottle of soya sauc...

  A 44-year-old man has been charged in Singapore for illegally importing 154 replica guns without the necessary permit. The accused, Ng Jie Sheng, appeared in the State Courts on March 6 and stated his intention to plead guilty, though he plans to engage legal counsel before his next court hearing on March 27. According to the charge sheet, Ng is accused of bringing in 84 sets of toy rifles, 70 sets of toy pistols, and 10 sets of toy bullet launchers, along with four boxes of rubber bullets and accessories, between March 14 and May 11, 2023. The case came to light when authorities received a tip-off about replica guns being sold on an e-commerce platform on May 11, 2023. Following investigations, the police identified the seller and raided a residence along Race Course Lane on May 26, where they seized the imported items. Under Singapore’s strict gun control laws, the import of replica firearms requires police approval. The authorities have made it clear that any toy or replica gu...

  Singapore has witnessed a surge in vehicle fires, with the latest incident occurring on the morning of March 6 in Tampines. This marks the third reported car fire in just five days. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) received an alert about a burning car on Tampines Street 31 at approximately 7:20 a.m. Firefighters promptly responded, using a hose reel and a compressed air foam backpack to extinguish the flames. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. A video circulating captures the dramatic scene, showing a car on the right lane engulfed in flames. Three firefighters can be seen working to douse the fire while retrieving additional equipment from their emergency vehicle, which was parked nearby. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. This incident follows two other recent vehicle fires. On March 2, a man lost his life when his car crashed on Nicoll Highway and burst into flames. Dashcam footage revealed that the vehicle was speeding before striking a road div...

  A 26-year-old homeless man, unable to work in Singapore due to his student pass status, was sentenced to 8½ years in jail, 12 strokes of the cane, and a $1,000 fine after attacking a 64-year-old woman with a razor blade during a failed robbery on March 4. The assailant, Indian National Shamsher Singh, was convicted of causing grievous hurt while attempting to commit robbery. He also pleaded guilty to separate charges of theft and assaulting a teenage boy. The attack occurred on November 10, 2022, at around 8:30 p.m. The victim, a retail assistant, was returning home from work when she got off bus service 31 near the Singapore Association for the Deaf. Struggling to walk up the stairs of an overhead bridge, she used the lift instead. Singh, who had been sitting at the bus stop, spotted the woman and decided to target her. He took out an unused disposable razor, unwrapped it, and discreetly held it between his fingers. When the victim exited the lift, he followed her onto the bridg...

  A 26-year-old man was sentenced to seven months in jail for molesting his neighbor after breaking into her condominium unit in the early hours of the morning. The offender, Erakkodan Abinraj, pleaded guilty to one charge of molestation, while an additional charge of housebreaking was taken into consideration for sentencing. Erakkodan, an Indian national, had been living next door to the victim for about a year along with five colleagues. He was familiar with the victim, as they had encountered each other multiple times before. The incident occurred on September 22, 2024, at around 4:50 a.m. Erakkodan entered his neighbor’s unit through the kitchen balcony, which was connected to his own apartment. Using the flashlight on his mobile phone for visibility in the dark, he wandered around the residence before making his way into the master bedroom. At the time, the 36-year-old victim was asleep in bed with her husband, while their child was in another room. Erakkodan approached the vi...

  A dramatic accident was caught on camera at the junction of Punggol Central and Edgefield Plains, where a cyclist, believed to be a student in physical education (PE) attire, was knocked down by a silver car. The footage, which was widely shared on social media, shows the cyclist riding against the red light before being hit by the car, which seemingly did not have time to react due to the cyclist appearing from a blind spot. As the impact occurred, the cyclist was thrown over the vehicle, flipping in the air before landing on the road. However, in a surprising turn of events, the rider quickly stood up, picked up the bicycle, and rode off within seconds. The extent of any injuries remains unclear as neither the driver nor the cyclist has been reported to have sought medical attention. This incident highlights the dangers of road users ignoring traffic signals. Running a red light is a serious offense that not only endangers the cyclist but also poses a significant risk to motori...

  A driver managed to escape without injury after a car caught fire in Jurong West on the morning of March 5. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) received an alert about the fire at approximately 7:20 AM, which involved the engine compartment of the vehicle. Firefighters quickly responded to the scene and extinguished the fire using a hose reel. There were no reported injuries, and investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire. A video circulating on social media captured the aftermath, showing an SCDF Light Fire Attack Vehicle, commonly known as a Red Rhino, parked at the roadside while firefighters worked to put out the flames. The footage has raised concerns among netizens as this incident is part of a growing trend of vehicle fires in recent months. Vehicular fires, while not an everyday occurrence, have been reported with increasing frequency. Several factors can contribute to car fires, including mechanical failures, electrical faults, fuel leaks, and ov...

  The police have determined that the gathering of premium taxi drivers at Changi Airport on February 13 did not constitute an offence, according to Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam. Meanwhile, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat revealed that a ground manager from private transport operator Woodlands Transport Service, whose actions contributed to the cabbies' dissatisfaction, has been removed from his role. The gathering was described as a "pre-planned dialogue" meant to address concerns regarding a new minibus service at the airport. Mr Shanmugam stated that police inquiries found no evidence of a strike or protest, and there were no law-and-order issues arising from the event. As a result, the police will not be conducting further investigations. Transport Minister Mr Chee provided additional context on the situation. Since 2008, Changi Airport Group (CAG) has been engaging Woodlands Transport to manage its ground transport concierge service, which allows passe...

  A 42-year-old man was sentenced to 14 years, three months, and eight weeks in jail, along with 12 strokes of the cane, for raping and assaulting his wife in November 2020. This case marks the first conviction for marital rape in Singapore since the repeal of marital immunity on January 1, 2020. The man, a foreigner working in Singapore, initially claimed trial but pleaded guilty after two days of court proceedings, during which his wife testified. The couple, who have three children, were living separately at the time of the incident. The wife resided in a flat provided by her employer, while the man lived elsewhere. Their children were not in Singapore. On November 8, 2020, the man asked to meet his wife to give her a gift. Despite her initial refusal, he showed up at her flat’s void deck, leading to a heated argument. The altercation escalated, with the man slapping and kicking his wife in the lift and lobby. When her supervisor intervened, the woman reluctantly agreed to res...

  In response to increasing human-monkey conflicts in Punggol, authorities have trapped 50 monkeys in 2024 as part of a management strategy. Most of the captured monkeys were sterilised and then released, while those displaying aggressive or intrusive behavior were "removed" for public safety. The National Development Minister disclosed these actions in a written parliamentary reply on March 4 but did not specify what "removed" entailed. This response came after a Member of Parliament inquired about the sterilisation process and whether it was only conducted in areas with overpopulation issues. The minister clarified that the National Parks Board (NParks) received multiple reports of human-monkey conflicts in Punggol, prompting intervention. The approach included sterilisation for long-term population control and removal of monkeys that posed safety risks. New Build-To-Order (BTO) flat residents in Punggol Northshore had previously expressed concerns about the prese...

  Singapore is considering introducing caning as a punishment for scammers in serious cases, recognizing the severe harm they inflict on victims. This was announced by the Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development during a parliamentary session on March 4. The proposal came in response to a call by a Member of Parliament (MP) who urged for mandatory caning in cases where scammers cause significant financial losses. The MP emphasized the need for a strong deterrent to send a clear message to criminals and those who support scam operations. He argued that scammers who deceive people out of their life savings should face severe consequences. In response, the minister acknowledged the importance of stricter penalties and noted that sentencing guidelines had already been revised to impose harsher jail terms. In some cases, offenders involved in scam-related crimes have been sentenced to up to 19 months in prison. Beyond legal penalties, the government is also ...

  A 17-year-old teenager was sentenced to 18 months of probation on March 4 for attempting to rob a man of more than $81,000 in cash. The youth, who was 16 at the time of the offense, used a knife in his failed robbery attempt. As part of his sentence, he must complete 60 hours of community service, stay indoors from 10 PM to 6 AM daily, and his parents were bonded for $5,000 to ensure his good behavior. The teen pleaded guilty to one count of attempted robbery in January. Due to his age, he cannot be named under the Children and Young Persons Act. The incident stemmed from an online job offer he received from a person known only as "Dilton" via Telegram in mid-November 2023. Dilton instructed him to “take money and run away” and advised him to buy a knife to intimidate the victim. However, the teen was not told how much he would be paid for carrying out the crime. On November 18, 2023, at around 11 AM, Dilton informed the teen that he had to execute the robbery that day. The...