Bogus property agent jailed, fined
By Alvina Soh | Posted: 12 January 2012 2002 hrs
Businessman Tan Cher Peng pretended to be a licensed estate agent and was sentenced to four months in jail and fined $32,000 on Thursday. -- ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG
Tan Cher Peng was given four months' jail and fined S$32,000.
He pleaded guilty to five charges of contravening the Estate Agents Act and another count of forgery.
Tan had made a false statement when he applied to the CEA to register as a salesperson in December 2010.
The CEA rejected his application as he was wanted by police and had a history of past convictions, including cheating and criminal breach of trust.
However, Tan still advertised properties in an online property portal under his name, describing himself as a marketing director of a licensed estate agent, even though he didn't have written authorisation from a licensed real estate agent to practise.
Since January 2011, all property agents must register with the CEA and have written agreements with their companies.
The CEA said that failing to do so would be a serious offence.
However, Tan still represented himself as a salesperson for real estate firm, Wallingtons International, in online advertisements.
He conducted showroom visits and negotiated with clients over property leases on two occasions between January and February last year (2011).
He also gave his name cards to two clients and informed one of them that a property at Club Street was available for rent.
Court documents revealed that Tan was guilty of forgery in 2004, after fraudulently signing on credit applications forms.
Tan, who was a co-partner of an F&B outlet then, forged his partner's signature on the forms to obtain goods, causing the company to lose nearly S$5,000.
Tan's lawyer, Mr S S Dhillon, called for a fine to be imposed for the charges under the Estates Agent Act, adding that Tan's offences were "technical".
He also said that Tan was under the impression that it was not necessary to be a registered sales person as the online advertisements were accessible to all.
He added that Tan, who married recently, did not cause financial losses to any parties by his actions.
Mr Dillion also told the court that Tan had made full restitution to the F&B company, which was a "significant mitigating factor".
District Judge Mr Toh Yung Cheong noted that Tan's false declaration in his application did not stem from attempts to benefit financially or to gain illegal entry into the country.
But he stressed that the "public still needs to be protected", even though no loss was reported.
In a statement, the CEA said there are two more prosecutions involving unregistered salespersons pending before the Courts.
It'll be prosecuting several more people over the next few months.
- CNA/cc
