'Bogus repairmen' posing as HDB contractors arrested
Friday, Apr 05, 2013
By Jalelah Abu Baker
The police have arrested three Malaysian men believed to be responsible for several cases of theft in homes islandwide by posing as repairmen or contractors.
In a statement on Friday, the police said the 'bogus repairmen' would pose as licensed contractors from the Housing Board (HDB) to enter a victims' unit on the pretext of checking or repairing pipes and leaks.
One of the men would distract the victim in the the kitchen or toilet area while the other culprit searched for cash and valuables in the other rooms of the flat. The men, aged 20, 28 and 30, would target elderly persons. In the latest case reported on March 28 involving an 81-year-old woman living at Toa Payoh, the men made with $200.
The men were detained at Woodlands Checkpoint on Thursday at 1.40pm. If convicted, they face a jail term of up to seven years and a fine.
Here is the full statement from the Singapore Police Force:
Police have arrested 3 Malaysians aged 20, 28 and 30 who are believed to be responsible for numerous cases of theft in dwelling at various housing estates island-wide by posing as repairmen or contractors.
The 'bogus repairmen' were known to target elderly persons and would pose as licensed contractors from HDB to gain entry into the victim's unit on the pretext of checking/repairing pipes and leakages. Upon entering the premises, one of the culprits would engage the victim at the kitchen or toilet while the other culprit searched for cash and valuables in the other rooms of the flat. In the latest case reported on March 28, an 81-year-old woman living at Toa Payoh fell prey to the 'bogus repairmen' who made off with $200 in cash.
Following these cases, officers established the suspects' identities through follow-up investigations. With this important lead, an operation was mounted and the suspects were detained at Woodlands Checkpoint on 4 April 2013 at 1.40pm.
The suspects will be charged in court on April 6 for an offence of Theft in Dwelling under Section 380 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224 which carries a jail term of seven years and a fine.
Police would like to advise the public to adopt the following measures:
a) Always keep your grille gates locked and never open the doors to strangers;
b) Do not allow anyone who claims to be a repairman to enter your house without verifying his identity;
c) If in doubt, verify his identity with his company, or contact your family members or Police for assistance; and
d) Do not keep large sums of money or valuables in the house. Keep the money in a safe or deposit it in the bank.
