SINGAPORE – She knew that the 27 foreigners had no intention to work as foreign domestic workers, but continued to match them with bogus “employers” here and arranged for work pass application forms to be submitted to the Manpower Ministry (MOM).

The foreigners then used their work permits to remain in Singapore, working in jobs such as performing artistes, freelance cleaners and manicurists.

For engaging in a conspiracy to make false declarations in work pass applications, 36-year-old Filipino Celeste Provido Apostol was today (Jan 7) sentenced to 16 months in jail.

The MOM today said in a press release that this was “one of the largest scam of this nature” it had investigated.

Apostol was charged in court on Jan 20 last year with 33 charges — 32 counts of false declaration offences and one count for carrying out the activities of an employment agency without obtaining a licence. She pleaded guilty on Oct 15 last year to 16 charges. The remaining 17 charges were taken into consideration for the purpose of sentencing.

The MOM said investigations showed Apostol, who masterminded the scam, conspired with “recruiters” who then sourced for foreigners in need of work permits, and locals who were willing to provide their particulars as “employers” for monetary gain. A total of 21 “employers” were found.

With the foreigners’ and employers’ particulars, Apostol arranged for work pass application forms to be submitted to the MOM between June 2009 and March 2013. She collected fees of between S$3,500 and S$4,000 from each foreign worker for the work permit.

The MOM said the bogus foreign domestic workers have been prosecuted and convicted in court. They were handed total fines of between S$3,000 and S$10,000, and jailed four weeks. They will be sent home and permanently barred from working in Singapore.

The MOM said it will separately deal with the “recruiters” and bogus “employers”. Culpable “employers” will be barred from hiring any foreign worker.

Since 2014, 78 individuals have been convicted of furnishing false information to the MOM to obtain work passes.

Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, offenders can be fined up to S$20,000, with possible imprisonment of up to two years.