Couple investigated for lodging false police report to feed gambling habit

SINGAPORE - A 41-year-old man and his 37-year-old girlfriend are under investigation for making a false police report.

On November 19 at about 3.47am, the man reported to the Police that in the wee hours of November 18, an unknown male motorcyclist and his pillion rider stopped along Neo Tiew Rd and demanded he hand over his valuables.

According to him, the robbers fled with his branded watch and some cash. The man's girlfriend, who was purportedly present at the time of the offence, provided a similar statement to the police.

Police officers conducted immediate follow-up investigations into the case and subsequently established that the duo had made a false report on the alleged offence.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the man had actually sold his watch to feed his gambling habit.

Investigations against the couple are ongoing. Anyone who is convicted for giving any information which he knows to be false to a public servant may be punished with a jail term of up to one year, with a fine which may extend to $5000, or both.

The Police stressed that all police reports are treated seriously and that they will take stern action against anyone who gives false information to a public servant.

yamadak@sph.com.sg