(Singapore, 18th) — A Singaporean man spent $2,000 (about RM6,300) weekly to keep a Vietnamese woman, later even renting a place to live together. However, after running into financial trouble and being unable to pay the rent and 'meat money,' the woman then proposed a sham marriage, asking the man to apply for her a Long-Term Visit Pass and Permanent Resident status in exchange for wiping out his debt to her.
Lianhe Zaobao reported on the 17th that the defendant Bobby Thedores Tan (32) faced three charges of violating immigration laws. He pleaded guilty to one charge on the 16th and was sentenced to seven weeks in jail.
According to the facts of the case, in March or April 2020, the defendant met the Vietnamese woman, Shi Zhuling (28), at the house of a mutual friend.
The two later developed a paid sexual relationship in July. From around June 2021, the defendant paid Shi Zhuling $2,000 weekly, becoming her sole client.
In September 2021, the defendant even rented a flat around Beach Road and lived with Shi Zhuling. However, the defendant soon encountered financial difficulties, could no longer pay Shi Zhuling, nor afford the rent, and thus wanted to end the relationship.
By then, the defendant already owed Shi Zhuling for several unpaid weeks, with the accumulated amount reaching $14,000 (about RM44,000).
Shi Zhuling wished to remain in Singapore, and thus proposed a sham marriage to the defendant. With his sponsorship, she could apply for a Long-Term Visit Pass and, subsequently, permanent resident status. In exchange, Shi Zhuling said if she was successful in obtaining permanent residency, she would give the defendant a sum of money.
The two registered their marriage in 2022 and, in exchange, Shi Zhuling wrote off the defendant’s previous $14,000 debt.