A property agent who pleaded guilty to using a counterfeit stamp certificate was sentenced to six weeks jail today. Formerly with the Dennis Wee Group and Prestige Realty Global Pte Ltd, Tang Yong Yeow Daniar (陈镛耀, 29 years old) was also convicted of cheating for his role in multiple rental scams.

Tenant Cheated of Her Rent and Stamp Duty

In July 2012, Tang offered to rent a property at 4 Rochor Road to a tenant as part of a rental scam. Tang then collected $3,520 in advance from his prospective tenant, including $120 purportedly for the stamp duty on the rental agreement.

The prospective tenant requested the stamp certificate from Tang when the handing over of the property did not take place as scheduled. Using a genuine stamp certificate obtained from a previous property transaction, Tang forged the stamp certificate by altering property details such as the address, name of the landlord and tenant, stamp duty amount, stamp certificate issued date, and date of document. The counterfeit stamp certificate was then given to the tenant.

Realising that she had fallen for a rental scam when the property failed to be handed over a second time, the tenant lodged reports with the Police and Council for Estate Agencies.

Crime to Use Counterfeit Stamp Certificates

Stamp duty is paid on documents or agreements relating to properties. These include tenancy or lease agreements, options to purchase, and sale and purchase agreements. A stamp certificate is issued to certify that a certain amount of stamp duty relating to the document or agreement has been paid.

IRAS takes a very serious view of any individual or business that deliberately forges stamp certificates and knowingly misrepresents counterfeit "certificates" as genuine. They may face penalties of up to $10,000 and/or up to three years' imprisonment. Penalties of up to four times the stamp duty payable may also be imposed for late or non-stamping of documents.

Online Check on Stamp Certificate Authenticity

IRAS reminds potential tenants and property buyers to check the authenticity of the stamp certificates in their possession by visiting the e-Stamping website, https://estamping.iras.gov.sg (Stamp Duty Resource > Check Stamp Certificate Authenticity). An authentic stamp certificate should bear the full details of the stamp duty payment, description of the document, address of the property, stamp duty amount, and date of document. All these details should also match the information shown on the e-Stamping website.

If the stamp certificate appears dubious or incomplete, please contact IRAS to verify the authenticity of the stamp certificate.

Reporting Suspicious Stamp Certificates

If you suspect that you have been presented with a counterfeit stamp certificate, please email IRAS at [email protected] or call 6351 3697/3698 immediately. If you know of any wrongdoing associated with stamp certificates, please also contact IRAS immediately. IRAS will ensure that your identity is kept confidential.

Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore