In 2019, a now 56-year-old woman from China named Wang Xihong married a Singaporean man to continue working in Singapore.
According to Lianhe Zaobao, Wang first met now-66-year-old Li Xueze in 2017.
In mid-2019, Wang proposed to Li that they get married so he could be her guarantor for her visit pass and permanent residency, with a promise of a monthly payment.
Image courtesy of Pexels for illustrative purposes only.
They booked the earliest wedding date at the Marriage Registry and each looked for a witness.
On 27 Aug 2019, the two were wed with two witnesses in attendance.
Neither of their families were present, and they went their separate ways afterwards.
From March 2020 to March 2022, Wang paid Li S$300 per month, increasing it to S$400 monthly from April 2022 to June 2024.
In total, Li received about S$17,600 from this arrangement.
Besides the fake marriage, Wang and Li also registered a beauty salon named Keep Beauty, with Li listed as the company director.
Image courtesy of Canva for illustrative purposes only.
This arrangement allowed Wang to continue working in Singapore and make payments to Li as promised.
Wang successfully obtained long-term visit passes between 15 Aug 2021, and 13 Sep 2023, but her permanent residency applications in August 2020 and June 2022 were both denied by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
Finally, on 17 Jul 2024, immigration officers arrested the couple at their respective homes.
The prosecution argued that the sham marriage undermined the sanctity of marriage.
Additionally, Wang also submitted false statements in her applications for a marriage permit and long-term visit passes, claiming she did not marry to stay in Singapore and is not giving any remuneration to Li.
The offence warranted six to seven months in prison, but Wang pleaded with the judge for leniency, claiming ignorance of Singaporean law and a promise to reform.
The defendant also explained that her mother has terminal lung cancer and does not have much time left, requesting a fine instead.
Upon receiving a sentence of six months and eight weeks, Wang asked for a reduced term to care for her mother, but the judge saw no reason to give her a lighter sentence.
Wang’s request for a one-week delay in starting her sentence, however, was granted.
On the other hand, Li was also charged and is expected to plead guilty on 22 Nov.
An ICA spokesperson noted their strict stance on fake marriages and any assistance thereof and stated that they will continue enforcement action against couples and intermediaries who violate regulations.
Those convicted of a fake marriage could face a fine of up to S$10,000, up to 10 years in jail, or both.
Meanwhile, the offender may be fined up to S$4,000, jailed for up to 12 months, or both, for false declaration.
Also read: Woman fined S$5K for forging MC to care for ill mother, also faked death certificate
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Featured image adapted from MS News, Unsplash
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