SINGAPORE — Fifteen people will be charged on Friday (Sept 17) over their alleged involvement in fraudulent bank loan applications that caused a local bank to disburse more than S$220,000 to the group.

In a press release on Thursday, the police said that the 15, who are aged between 25 and 66, were arrested following their investigation into a report made by the bank in May 2019 stating that forged salary slips had been used to support several personal loan applications, which it had approved.

The police did not name the bank involved or the gender of the 15 alleged offenders.

Investigations found that the 15 people had allegedly provided their personal particulars and copies of their identification documents to various individuals for bank loan applications between March and May that year.

The places of employment furnished in the applications were believed to be false and the salary documents that were submitted in support of the applications were allegedly forged.

All 15 will be charged with acquiring property that they have reason to believe are benefits from crime under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Offences (Confiscation of Benefits) Act.

If convicted, they may be jailed for up to 10 years or fined up to S$500,000, or both.

Two among them will face another charge of providing false information to a public servant. If convicted, they could be jailed for up to two years or fined, or both.

In their statement, the police said that they take a serious view of any person who commits or facilitates fraud and offenders will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.

“The police would like to remind members of the public that police resources could have been put to better use in dealing with real crimes and emergencies (rather) than investigating false reports or false information.

“Those who lodge false police reports or provide false information will face serious consequences under the law.”