Former University Staff Charged for Alleged Offenses

On 23 November 2023, Foo Siang Chi (“Foo”) (符祥志, 53-year-old male, Singaporean), a former deputy director of the Office of Facility Management at the National University of Singapore and a former director of the Office of Campus Infrastructure and Facilities at the Singapore University of Technology & Design (SUTD), was charged in Court for allegedly cheating, taking upskirt photographs and videos of women, and possessing obscene films.

Cheating offences

2. Between April to July 2015, Foo allegedly cheated his then-supervisor (“the victim”) on at least six occasions by dishonestly concealing from the victim that the monies borrowed from the victim were to fund his gambling habits. By such deception, Foo allegedly dishonestly induced the victim to lend him at least S$205,500. For his alleged actions, Foo faces one amalgamated charge of cheating, an offence punishable under Section 420 of the Penal Code.

Taking upskirt photographs of women

3. Separately, between 25 April 2018 to 10 March 2020, Foo had allegedly on at least 31 occasions, utilised his mobile phone to capture up-skirt photographs and/or videos of various women. For his alleged actions, Foo faces two amalgamated charges for offences of intruding upon the privacy of a woman with the intention to insult her modesty punishable under Section 509 of the Penal Code (for offences committed before 1 January 2020) and one amalgamated charge for an offence of voyeurism under Section 377BB(5) of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 377BB(7) of the Penal Code (for offences committed after 1 January 2020).

Possessing obscene films

4. In addition, between 28 September 2019 to 2 December 2020, Foo had in his possession, two obscene videos which were downloaded from a pornography website into his mobile phone on two occasions. For his alleged actions, Foo faces one amalgamated charge for an offence punishable under Section 30 of the Films Act.

5. Any person who is convicted of a cheating offence under Section 420 of the Penal Code can be sentenced to imprisonment of up to ten years, and also be liable to a fine. Any person who is convicted of intruding upon the privacy of a woman with the intention to insult her modesty under Section 509 of the Penal Code can be sentenced to imprisonment for a term which may extend to a year, or be liable to a fine, or both. Any person who is convicted of voyeurism under Section 377BB(5) of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 377BB(7) of the Penal Code can be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of up to 2 years, or with fine, or with caning, or with any combination of such punishments. Any person who is convicted of an offence under Section 30 of the Films Act can be fined up to S$40,000 or sentenced to imprisonment of up to 12 months or to both.

Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau