SINGAPORE: In a shocking revelation, a 33-year-old man named Muhammad Fariz Shaik Sha Marican has been accused of orchestrating an extensive fraud scheme against his employer, PersolKelly (PSK), which resulted in him pocketing a staggering $24,000.

His deceitful actions included forging Grab receipts for nonexistent rides and submitting inflated timesheets to claim overtime pay.

A Timeline of Fraudulent Activities

Between July 2022 and April 2023, Fariz submitted 228 falsified Grab receipts, amassing more than $9,500. Previous fraudulent activity was reported from December 2021 to June 2022, where he claimed over $6,900 through 234 additional fake receipts.

Not only did he falsify transport claims, but Fariz also manipulated his timesheets, claiming excessive work hours and an overtime sum of $7,700 by forging a former supervisor’s signature.

Creating Fake Justifications

In an effort to create credible excuses for his frequent absences, Fariz generated fake medical certificates and even fabricated a letter supposedly from the Singapore Armed Forces, all to justify his failure to report to work on multiple occasions.

How the Scam Came to Light

Fariz was assigned to assist the Ministry of Health (MOH) with COVID-19 operations, initially as a temporary staff member, but was considered for a permanent position in April 2023.

However, during a routine audit of his annual leave balance, discrepancies in his timesheets and transport claims were identified.

Notably, the amounts he claimed from PSK were significantly higher than those reported to MOH, raising red flags.

In May 2023, amid the ongoing investigation into his claims, Fariz confessed his wrongdoing in a letter to MOH and subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts of forgery.

Potential Sentencing and Public Reactions

During the court proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Kelly Ng argued that Fariz's actions over 18 months warranted a prison sentence of six to eight months, emphasizing that he had numerous opportunities to cease his fraudulent activities but chose to continue.

Fariz's lawyer, Derek Tan, described him as a first-time offender who has completely reimbursed the employer for the fraudulent amounts, emphasizing that the funds were not utilized for personal luxury but instead on essential needs.

However, Judge Christopher Goh pointed out that regardless of the intent behind the spending, the fraud was indeed motivated by financial gain.

The judge has delayed sentencing until November 28 for further review.

Public Sentiment and Reflection

Social media users quickly reacted, expressing their disbelief at the lengths Fariz went to avoid work.

Comments ranged from awe at his 'next-level dedication to slacking' to sardonic observations about the irony of cheating the Ministry of Health, an agency responsible for public health.

One user remarked, 'What could he possibly think the endgame was?' highlighting the absurdity of his ploy.

As Fariz's case continues to unfold, it raises critical questions about workplace ethics and the consequences of fraud, serving as a cautionary tale in Singapore’s corporate landscape.