Malaysian Woman Jailed In Singapore For Staging Fake Accidents To File Insurance Claims

Channel NewsAsia reported that 28-year-old Rekha Tandaeduban had submitted insurance claims amounting to about SGD37,000 (RM115,241) for the staged accidents.

A Singapore court found her guilty of two counts of conspiring to cheat NTUC Income Insurance Co-operative and AXA Insurance Singapore, sentencing her to a 14-month jail term.

It was said that Rekha was hired by a syndicate to stage the accidents. The syndicate's modus operandi involves hiring Malaysians and provide them with cars to stage accidents in the city-state.

The syndicate also hires "phantom passengers" who would make false witness reports to be part of the scam.

They would be paid in commission from the insurance payouts made from injury claims in relation to the staged accidents.

They met up with another group of Malaysians, two of whom were asked to pose as passengers.

Tang then briefed Rekha on what was to be done before she drove off with Navin as a front seat passenger and two others at the back. Under orders from Navin, Rekha slammed the brakes while en route on a highway, causing a lorry to crash into the rear of their car.

The following day, Rekha filed an insurance claim for damages and legal costs amounting to SGD14,246 (RM44,368).

However, the insurer felt something was amiss and didn't proceed with the payment.

A SGD22,755 (RM70,890) claim was submitted the following day. She managed to secure a payout this time, SGD4,200 (RM13,083) in total.

Navin is facing charges for his involvement in the conspiracy. Tang, and another accomplice, remain at large.