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SINGAPORE: Two women are being investigated for their alleged involvement in separate cases of cheating in the collection of face masks from vending machines organized by the Temasek Foundation.
The women allegedly collected the masks using illegally obtained personal information, police said on Friday (March 12).
One of them, a 56-year-old woman, allegedly collected more than 20 masks from various Pasir Ris vending machines.
Police had investigated the case after receiving a report on March 3 from a member of the public who was unable to collect his face mark from a vending machine along Chai Chee Avenue.
“A check with the Temasek Foundation revealed that the mask had already been collected,” police said, adding that the woman was arrested on March 11.
READ: New reusable masks, hand sanitizer that the Temasek Foundation will deliver in March and April.
The other case involved a 43-year-old woman.
Police received a report on March 5 after a person was unable to pick up his mask from a vending machine along Orchard Road. As in the first case, he had already collected his mask.
The 43-year-old woman was identified on March 8. He allegedly used illegally obtained information to collect five reusable masks from a vending machine along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3.
Investigations for both cases are ongoing.
If convicted, the women could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined for cheating. For withholding illegally obtained personal information, they could be jailed for up to three years, fined up to S $ 10,000, or both.
Police added that they have received similar reports in other developments and are intensifying efforts to identify the suspects.
They urge the public to inform the police if they detect suspicious people loitering near those vending machines.
Those who have difficulty collecting their reusable face masks should contact the Temasek Foundation through their hotline at 1800-738-2000 or by email.