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Police probe 10 people for allegedly using illegally obtained personal data to redeem face masks from vending machines

SINGAPORE — The police are investigating 10 people for their suspected involvement in three separate cases of cheating over their alleged unauthorised redemption of reusable face masks from vending machines put up by Temasek Foundation.

Since Nov 30, Singapore residents have been able to collect a free pair of face masks at vending machines located at community clubs and residents’ committees islandwide.

Since Nov 30, Singapore residents have been able to collect a free pair of face masks at vending machines located at community clubs and residents’ committees islandwide.

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SINGAPORE — The police are investigating 10 people for their suspected involvement in three separate cases of cheating over their alleged unauthorised redemption of reusable face masks from vending machines put up by Temasek Foundation.

The suspects are:

  • A 47-year-old woman who purportedly used illegally obtained personal information to redeem more than 460 reusable face masks from a vending machine at Yio Chu Kang Community Centre

  • A 33-year-old woman for the alleged unauthorised redemption of two reusable face masks from a vending machine at Tanjong Pagar Community Centre

  • Four male and four female teenagers, aged between 12 and 19, for the alleged unauthorised redemption of more than 90 reusable masks from vending machines in several locations

In a media release on Friday, police said preliminary investigations revealed that these cases are believed to be unrelated.

They added that footage from police cameras and closed-circuit television cameras fixed in the vending machines has helped identify the suspects

Investigations are ongoing.

Those who are caught cheating can be jailed for up to 10 years, fined, or both. Those caught retaining illegally obtained personal information can be jailed for up to three years, fined up to S$10,000, or both.

“The police have also received similar reports in other residential estates and are intensifying our efforts with a serious view to apprehend perpetrators and bring them to justice, said the police.

They urged members of the public to report any suspicious person loitering near reusable masks vending machines. 

Since Nov 30, Singapore residents have been able to collect a free pair of face masks at vending machines located at community clubs and residents’ committees islandwide.

Residents will need to scan the barcodes of their NRIC, FIN, driving licence or any government-issued identification with a barcode to collect their masks. Each card may be used to collect one free kit containing two cloth masks.

Residents may also collect on behalf of family members and friends by scanning the barcodes of their respective IDs.

Members of the public having difficulties redeeming their reusable face masks from the vending machines are advised to contact Temasek Foundation via their hotline at 1800-738-2000 from 9am to 9pm daily until this Sunday or via email at staymasked [at] temasekfoundation.org.sg.

Related topics

police cheating Temasek Foundation face mask

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