On 6 April 2022, a former religious teacher, Rasman Bin Saridin (“Rasman”), was charged in court for the following offences.

a. Seven counts of criminal breach of trust under Section 406 of the Penal Code;

b. One count of forgery for the purpose of cheating under Section 468 of the Penal Code;

c. One count of managing a company while being an undischarged bankrupt under Section 148(1) of the Companies Act; and

d. Two counts of travelling out of Singapore without the permission of the Official Assignee under Section 131(1)(b) of the Bankruptcy Act.

Between 2014 and 2017, Rasman was alleged to have misappropriated $27,900 from five students who had engaged his assistance to help them enrol in a PhD course in Islamic studies at a foreign university.

In 2019, Rasman had also allegedly misappropriated more than $32,000 from individuals who paid for pilgrimage tour packages. He also allegedly forged an air ticket booking between Singapore and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).

Rasman had also allegedly travelled out of Singapore on multiple occasions between June 2018 and November 2019 without obtaining permission from the Official Assignee, as an undischarged bankrupt. He had also allegedly managed a company as an undischarged bankrupt.

The offence of criminal breach of trust under Section 406 of the Penal Code carries an imprisonment term of up to 7 years, or a fine, or both.

The offence of forgery for the purpose of cheating under Section 468 of the Penal Code carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine.

The offences of breaching bankruptcy restrictions under Section 148(1) of the Companies Act and Section 131(1)(b) of the Bankruptcy Act, each carries a fine of up to $10,000, or an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both.

Source: Singapore Police Force