Foreign sex worker got herself 'arrested' to stay in S'pore

A foreign sex worker came up with a strange way to extend her stay in Singapore after her visa expired.

Chinese national Liang Qinglan got herself arrested for overstaying, so that she could receive a special pass given to foreigners who have to stay back to assist with investigations.

In return, she provided sexual services and bribes to an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer who arranged for her "arrest".

Liang, 38, was sentenced to 25 weeks' jail and fined $8,000 yesterday. She pleaded guilty to three corruption charges over offences involving Teo Hwee Peng, an ICA checkpoints inspector. She also admitted to a separate charge over offering sexual services online.

Deputy Public Prosecutor David Menon told the court that Liang entered Singapore on May 28, 2018, on a social visit pass which expired on July 27 that year.

Some time in July or August that year, she contacted Teo, who told her he could help her secure a special pass in return for an iPhone X.

Between July and October the same year, Teo invited himself to Liang's home in Jurong West and they had sex.

DPP Menon said: "The accused knew it was wrong to provide sexual services to an immigration officer in exchange for his help obtaining an SP (special pass), but obliged because she wanted to secure an SP so she could remain in Singapore to work."

Liang later asked Teo for the procedure to extend her stay in Singapore and he said he would arrange for her to be arrested, and gave her advice regarding the procedure.

Teo had worked in ICA's Intel Ops Branch before and had contacts who alerted him to potential immigration offenders.

He passed her information to one of them, who relayed the information to her new ICA handler.

On Oct 16, 2018, she was arrested and asked whether she wanted to stay in Singapore to assist with a related investigation. She agreed, paid a fine for her overstaying offence and was issued a special pass.

Two days later, Teo and Liang met for a meal. She picked up the tab. Teo later declined Liang's offer to buy him an iPhone, but agreed to receive cash instead. She gave him an amount between $2,100 and $2,200.

Later that month, Liang lent Teo 5,000 yuan (S$1,100), fearing her special pass might be revoked. She was also aware that she may have needed Teo's help again, DPP Menon said.

Teo's case is still pending.

Responding to queries from The Straits Times, ICA said yesterday that Teo has been suspended since Nov 25 last year.