A Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officer has been charged with cheating the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and SCDF of more than S$130,000 by submitting quotations from companies owned by his wife while hiding his personal interest.
According to Lianhe Zaobao, his wife has also been charged for assisting him in the offences.
The couple, Muhammad Zahid Rosli (41) and Nuraifa Ahmad (38), were charged in court on Thursday (October 16). Zahid faces 28 counts of cheating, while Nuraifa faces 19 counts.
According to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), Zahid was an SCDF officer posted to the Civil Defence Academy at the time of the offences. His wife, Nuraifa, was the sole proprietor of Grundy Wellness Network and a director of Clutch Esports.
Between 2017 and 2023, Zahid allegedly cheated SCDF of about S$52,000 by dishonestly concealing his personal interest in the two companies when submitting quotations for paintball and esports events.
Nuraifa allegedly assisted him by uploading invoices from the companies to the Government Electronic Business (GeBIZ) portal, so that the firms would receive payment for organising the events.
She also allegedly helped Zahid on March 21, 2022, to cheat both SCDF and MHA of about S$27,000 by incorporating Clutch Esports and agreeing to be its director, in order to conceal Zahid’s personal interest in the company.
Between 2018 and 2023, Zahid also allegedly cheated MHA of about S$80,000 by using the same method when submitting quotations for events. He is further accused of attempting to cheat MHA of about S$37,000 in December 2023 by concealing his interest in Clutch when submitting a quotation for an esports event.
Separately, between August 2021 and November 2022, Nuraifa allegedly assisted Zahid in cheating MHA of about S$33,400 by signing as Grundy’s programme director on invitations to quote for two esports events. This was allegedly done to conceal her husband’s interest during the approval process.
Both Zahid and Nuraifa told the court they intend to plead guilty and do not plan to hire lawyers. Their case has been adjourned to November 27 for a plea hearing.
If convicted of cheating, they each face up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine.
The CPIB reiterated that it investigates all corruption-related complaints and reports, including anonymous ones. Members of the public can report suspected corruption via the CPIB website, email, or hotline.
