8 charged over 'phantom workers' scheme involving false CPF declarations in work pass applications

A total of eight individuals, aged between 31 and 61, were charged on Oct 8 for allegedly making false declarations in work pass applications involving Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions.In a statement issued on Friday (Oct 16), the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said the seven employers and an administrative assistant had allegedly falsely declared that CPF contributions made by their companies were for local employees who did not actually work for them."These locals did not actually work for the companies ("phantom workers”)," the ministry stated.According to MOM, the alleged false declarations were made to obtain work passes illegally, which constitutes an offence under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. The eight individuals charged are: