Singapore charges two individuals and employment agency over alleged foreign worker permit fraud

Authorities in Singapore have charged two Singaporeans and an employment agency under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) over alleged false declarations linked to migrant worker employment and kickback collection, in a case that highlights ongoing scrutiny of work pass abuses in the city-state.

According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), 43-year-old Zhao Yanxiao, an employment agency personnel with Wonderful Agency Pte Ltd, allegedly submitted false declarations in 14 work pass applications between December 2024 and August 2025. 

The applications reportedly classified migrant workers under the Non-Traditional Source Occupation List (NTS-OL) scheme as food processing workers earning fixed monthly salaries of S$2,000.

Investigations, however, found that the workers were allegedly deployed to massage parlours, beauty salons and spa establishments instead of food processing roles, and were not paid the declared salaries.

Zhao faces 12 charges related to false declarations of employment and two charges linked to false salary declarations. If convicted, each charge could carry a fine of up to S$20,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.

Wonderful Agency Pte Ltd was also charged with 14 offences tied to the alleged false declarations in work pass applications.

Separately, 58-year-old Hu Yuping, manager of a massage establishment, was charged with allegedly abetting the false declaration of a migrant worker’s occupation. She also faces an additional charge for allegedly collecting a S$500 kickback from a worker as a condition of employment.

MOM said false declarations undermine the integrity of Singapore’s work pass framework and may expose vulnerable migrant workers to exploitation. 

The ministry warned that individuals or entities convicted under the EFMA could also be barred from employing foreign workers in the future.

The ministry urged members of the public to report suspicious employment activities through its official reporting channels, adding that all information provided would remain confidential.