ICA raid sees 11 arrested for possible marriage-of-convenience offences; 'husband and wife' found living apart

According to marriage documents, a woman from China is married to a Singaporean man and they are living together in his flat in Fernvale.

But investigations by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) found that they were living separately and that they had allegedly made false declarations in the application to the authority.

The two were subsequently arrested at their respective homes, and are among 11 who were arrested over the past two weeks for possible marriage of convenience offences.

A marriage of convenience often involves a local and foreign spouse. 

For the foreign spouse, the common motive is to enter or remain in Singapore for a prolonged period of time, such as a long-term visit pass or an extension of short-term visit pass.

For the local spouse, the common motive is to obtain monetary benefits or other forms of gratification for entering into the marriage.

Based on ICA's annual statistics, there were 15 people arrested for marriage of convenience-related offences in 2025, and 41 arrested in 2024.

@asiaone On paper, the 59-year-old Singaporean man and the female Chinese national, 52, are married, but the duo were found living separately. They were arrested for possible marriage of convenience offences. #sgnews #Singapore #Immigration #LawEnforcement ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

Spouses found living separately

AsiaOne was among the media invited to a raid led by ICA officers on Thursday (Aug 27), where the 59-year-old male Singaporean and a 52-year-old female Chinese national were arrested.

Prior to the operation, preliminary investigations revealed that the couple, who work as janitors for separate companies, had solemnised their marriage in January last year but were not living together. 

Based on ICA's investigations, the husband lives in Fernvale while the wife lives in Chinatown. 

The husband had also allegedly sponsored his wife's applications for long-term visit pass, in which she declared that she is living with her husband in Fernvale.

At around 4.30am, Intelligence Operations Branch officers proceeded to the respective homes to observe the suspects.

Officers entered the local man's residence at around 5.20am and interviewed him regarding his marriage and living arrangements with his alleged spouse.

The man has been living in a two-room flat with his mother, nephew and domestic helper, who were also interviewed.

Based on AsiaOne's observations, his mother and domestic helper occupied one bedroom, while he occupied the second bedroom alone and his nephew slept in the living room on the couch.

The man was subsequently arrested at 7am for suspected false declarations made in applications for immigration facilities.

A separate group of ICA officers went to her home in Chinatown and entered her unit at around 6.55am.

Officers interviewed her and eight other occupants in the flat, before arresting her at 7.35am.

Both individuals were later escorted back to ICA's headquarters in Lavender for further questioning, and additional investigations into possible marriage of convenience offences will be conducted.

Following investigations, their case will be submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers to decide if there is enough evidence to charge them. 

If convicted, the courts will determine the appropriate sentence, including a maximum fine of $10,000, a jail term of up to 10 years, or both.

For foreigners convicted of immigration-related offences, ICA may take further action such as deportation and barred from re-entering Singapore, where appropriate, said Assistant Superintendent Justino Guo, deputy officer-in-charge of ICA's Enforcement Division.

"ICA will continue to conduct rigorous and regular inland enforcement operations to keep Singapore safe and secure," said Assistant Superintendent Mitchell Tan, officer-in-charge of ICA's Intelligence Division.

Tan also urged the public to report suspected cases of sham marriages and other immigration-related offences to ICA.

[[nid:741030]]

dana.leong@asiaone.com