FRAUDULENT USE OF NRIC

FRAUDULENT USE OF NRIC

4.

Prof. Ivan Png Paak Liang asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he can provide the number of cases in which a person used another's NRIC number came to police attention in 2003 and 2004 and, in each case, (i) the disposition of the case; and (ii) how the person acquired the other person's NRIC number.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: In 2003, six cases were reported which involved the fraudulent use of someone else's NRIC. In 2004, three such cases were reported. In these nine cases, the offenders commonly used someone else's NRIC card fraudulently to apply for handphone lines or to gain entry into pubs and bars. In many instances, the NRIC cards were stolen by the accused persons or found and picked up at public places. In a few cases, the I/C holders had handed their NRIC cards to acquaintances, either for some otherwise lawful purpose or with the knowledge that the latter would use it to commit an offence.

For five out of the nine cases committed between 2003 and 2004, the accused persons were sentenced to imprisonment for periods ranging between two months to six months. In three out of the nine cases reported between 2003 and 2004, the accused persons were administered stern warnings in lieu of prosecution. As for the remaining case, investigation is still in progress.

Any person who without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, knowingly obtains or is in possession of a forged identity card or an identity card other than his own is guilty of committing an offence under section 13(2)(b) of the National Registration Act, Chapter 201, and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or to both. Singaporeans should take good care of their NRIC cards and not to allow others to use them. Loss of NRIC cards should be promptly reported to the authorities. By taking such measures, the risk of someone using another's NRIC card for fraudulent purposes can be reduced.

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