SINGAPORE - Two Vietnamese women who fixed a marriage of convenience for a compatriot three years ago have been jailed for contracting a marriage in order to obtain an immigration advantage.

Nguyen Thi Yen, 41, was jailed for nine months and fined $3,000 on Thursday (May 5), while her accomplice Le Thi Tra My, 31, was jailed for seven months on April 5.

In February 2013, Le had suggested to the bride involved in the sham marriage that she marry a Singaporean, in order to apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass and extend her stay in Singapore. In return, the bride would pay Le $7,500.

She agreed, and Le introduced her to Nguyen, who then found her a suitable groom.

The groom would get a cut of the bride's money, for sponsoring her Visit Pass applications to extend her stay in Singapore after their marriage.

The couple solemnised their marriage at a Peninsula Plaza restaurant on March 18 that year. Le, Nguyen and the groom each got a cut of the $7,500 paid by the bride.

The maximum punishment for contracting or entering into a sham marriage is a $10,000 fine and 10 years' jail.

In 2013, the bride and groom were each jailed for six months for entering into the fake marriage.

In a statement on Friday (May 6), the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said it takes a serious view of those who contract sham marriages for immigration benefits.