Friend in Singapore imprisoned for robbing S$54,000 from immobilized companion's CPF account
In a shocking turn of events, a 34-year-old man named Yu Mingyan was sentenced to 18 months and two weeks in jail and fined S$30,000 for stealing S$54,000 from his bedridden friend's Central Provident Fund (CPF) account.
The theft occurred while Yu was visiting the victim, a 62-year-old woman who was permanently warded at Gleneagles Hospital and unable to move or speak, between June and July 2023. Yu gained access to his friend's Singpass, Singapore's national digital identity platform, to commit the crime.
The victim, whose vulnerability was complete, was a close friend and former colleague of Yu. The case was described as highly egregious by District Judge Eddy Tham.
In addition to the CPF theft, Yu also stole S$197 from a petty cash box at Farrer Park Hospital in July 2024. When unable to pay his debt to a loan shark, he performed at least 16 bank transfers for a syndicate until his account was flagged by DBS and closed.
Yu attempted to cover his actions when confronted by the victim's niece by forging a police report. However, his actions were reported by Singapore's CNA news outlet, leading to his eventual arrest and sentencing.
The sentencing was handed down by District Judge Eddy Tham, who gave Yu the option to defer his sentence until the end of the month. No new information was provided about the amount of the fine or the jail sentence.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Jeremy Bin described the case as involving a victim "whose vulnerability was complete." Yu's actions were deemed highly egregious by the judge.
It is important to note that the CPF account is a retirement savings scheme in Singapore, and such acts of theft are a violation of the trust placed in those who manage others' financial affairs.
This incident serves as a reminder to be vigilant and cautious when it comes to our personal and financial information, especially in situations where we are vulnerable or dependent on others for care.
