Nine people have been investigated in Singapore for “illegal touting activities” at Changi International Airport. Following the conclusion of the investigations, eight individuals had their work passes revoked by the Singapore Ministry of Manpower and one person had his Short-Term Visit Pass cancelled by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. All of them will be deported and barred from re-entering Singapore, as per a media release by the Singapore Police Force.
The release dated March 30 said: “Officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Ministry of Manpower (MOM), and Changi Airport Group (CAG) conducted a joint operation at Changi Airport on 22 March 2025.”
It added: “Acting on information received, the multi-agency enforcement operation resulted in nine foreign nationals, aged between 30 and 48, being investigated for their involvement in illegal touting activities.”
These nine people were asking passengers departing via Changi International Airport to carry gold and mobile phones back to their home countries. The nine people — holders of Singapore Work Permits, S Passes, or Social Visit Passes — were seeking out travellers of the same nationality, so that the valuable goods could be sent through them to their home countries.
The Changi Airport travellers were being asked by the nine people to hand over the gold and mobile phones to contacts in their home countries in exchange for a cash reward. This was “illegal touting”, as per Singapore law.
The Singapore Government takes a serious view of illegal activities and will not hesitate to take firm action against individuals who flout our laws. Under the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Act, those touting in the airport will be issued a Prohibition Order and they can be arrested for Criminal Trespass if the Order is flouted. Foreign nationals found engaging in such unlawful activities may also face revocation of their immigration or employment status and be barred from re-entering Singapore.
Singapore Police Force press release
The SPF press release said that foreigners on Singapore work passes “are only allowed to work in the occupation, and for the employer, as approved for their work pass. They are not allowed to operate or participate in any other business.”
Foreign visitors “on Short-Term Visit Passes are prohibited from engaging in any form of employment (paid or unpaid), business, profession, or occupation in Singapore during their stay in Singapore”.
“The Singapore authorities would also like to remind travellers to avoid carrying goods on behalf of strangers, as doing so may expose them to security risks, or arrest and prosecution for involvement in illicit activities,” said the Singapore Police Force.
