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SINGAPORE: A 12-year-old boy was among 10 people under investigation for his alleged involvement in three separate cases of unauthorized swapping of face masks from vending machines, police said on Friday (December 11).
The vending machines were installed by the Temasek Foundation as part of its nationwide mask distribution exercise.
In one case, a 47-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly using illegally obtained personal information to redeem more than 460 reusable facial marks from a vending machine at the Yio Chu Kang Community Center.
Another case took place at the Tanjong Pagar Community Center.
“A 33-year-old woman is being investigated for her alleged role in a cheating case for the unauthorized exchange of two reusable face masks,” police said in a press release.
Furthermore, eight people, between the ages of 12 and 19, are being investigated for trading more than 90 reusable masks from vending machines in various locations without authorization.
Footage from police cameras and closed-circuit television cameras at vending machines helped police identify the suspects, authorities said.
READ: COVID-19: All Singapore residents will get a free pair of reusable masks from November 30
Police said they have received similar reports of similar cases in other developments and are working to arrest the perpetrators.
“If you see a suspicious person loitering near the reusable mask vending machines, please contact the police at 999 immediately,” they added.
Police investigations of the three cases are ongoing.
The crime of cheating carries a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine.
For withholding illegally obtained personal information, criminals face jail time of up to three years, a fine of up to S $ 10,000, or both.
As part of Temasek’s latest distribution exercise, all Singaporeans can get a free pair of antimicrobial masks.
Members of the public who are having difficulty redeeming their face masks from the vending machine are encouraged to contact the Temasek Foundation at 1800 738 2000 between 9 am and 9 pm daily from November 23 to December 13.
You can also email the Temasek Foundation at [email protected].
