Ex-SAF captain allegedly cheated 16 people of $145k, citing reasons like ‘mother’s medical bills’
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Benjamin Song Yong Pang was handed 18 cheating charges, of which 13 were amalgamated charges.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Follow topic:
- Ex-SAF captain Benjamin Song faces 18 charges for allegedly cheating 16 people of $145,250 between May 2021 and March 2024.
- Song claimed the money was for investments or his mother's medical bills, but allegedly used it for debts and personal expenses.
- Currently on $100,000 bail, Song's case returns to court on December 8; he faces up to 10 years' jail and a fine per charge.
AI generated
SINGAPORE – A former captain in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was charged in court on Nov 10 over allegedly cheating 16 people into giving him $145,250.
Benjamin Song Yong Pang, 37, purportedly made them believe that the money was used either for investments or to pay his mother’s medical bills.
Song was handed 18 cheating charges, of which 13 were amalgamated charges, where multiple alleged incidents are taken together in a single offence.
Charge sheets stated that the alleged offences took place over almost three years between May 2021 and March 2024.
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau said in a statement on Nov 10 that Song had used the money to service his debts and expenses.
Song appeared in court with an elderly couple and said he would be getting legal advice for his case. He is currently out on bail of $100,000. His case will be heard again on Dec 8.
If convicted, Song faces up to 10 years’ jail and a fine for each charge of cheating. For the amalgamated charges, he can face twice the amount of punishment liable for that offence.
A Mindef spokesperson told The Straits Times that Song was suspended from his duties following his arrest and is no longer a regular serviceman with the SAF.
Mindef did not mention which branch of SAF Song was from, or when his employment ended.
The spokesperson said SAF holds its service personnel to high standards of discipline and integrity, adding: “We do not tolerate any form of cheating in the SAF. Service personnel who commit offences will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
