A couple who claimed to have been robbed by an unknown male motorcyclist and pillion in the wee hours of Nov 18 are being investigated by the police for lodging a false report.

The 41-year-old man made a report on Nov 19 claiming that the vehicle he and his 37-year-old girlfriend were travelling in was stopped along Neo Tiew Road by the robbers who demanded for his valuables, said police. 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.

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

Anyone convicted of giving information known to be false to a public servant can face a jail term of up to one year, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

The Commander of Jurong Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Wilson Lim, stressed that all police reports are treated seriously.

He added that stern action will be taken against anyone found to give false information to the police, thus wasting resources that can otherwise be put to better use.