Getting mystery CPF contributions? You might be part of a phantom worker scam.
Think twice if you’re asked for your personal details.
Phantom workers are individuals who receive Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions from an employer, but do not perform any work for that employer. They are employed in name-only and are often hired by companies for various illicit reasons. One reason is to inflate their foreign worker quota, so they do not need to hire local workers and pay them their salaries.
Another reason is to take advantage of government benefits or schemes that incentivize employers to hire local workers. Additionally, phantom workers can be hired for tax evasion purposes, as their CPF contributions can be used by the employer to falsely declare a lower taxable income. Recent arrests have been made in connection with these fraudulent activities, including four directors, nine foreign workers, and one key appointment holder from an employment agency.
If you suspect you might be a phantom worker, be cautious of unknown sources requesting your personal details, such as Singpass, NRIC, or CPF account information. Keep an eye on your CPF transactions and report any suspicious activity to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Written by urgent.news from Mothership's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
