SUTD Deputy Manager Charged Over 180 Fraudulent Bookings, S$130K Loss

A 41-year-old SUTD deputy manager will be charged in court on September 23 for allegedly making over 180 unauthorised bookings of the university’s football facilities, resulting in a revenue loss exceeding S$130,000. Police received the initial report on July 3, 2025, and found the man had exploited his position to commit the fraudulent bookings over approximately three years.

How the fraud unfolded over three years

The man used his role as deputy manager at SUTD to make more than 180 unauthorised bookings of the university’s football facilities. Preliminary police investigations found the fraudulent bookings spanned approximately three years before being discovered. The man is believed to have deleted booking records from the system in an attempt to conceal his actions.

Financial impact and revenue loss

The fraudulent bookings resulted in a total revenue loss to SUTD of more than S$130,000, equivalent to approximately US$102,000. This substantial loss reflects the scale of the unauthorised bookings made during the three-year period. The university’s financial records were affected by the systematic nature of the scheme.

Criminal charges and potential penalties

The man will face two charges: cheating and forgery. If convicted of cheating, he could face a jail term of up to three years, a fine, or both. Forgery carries a potential jail term of up to four years, a fine, or both. The Singapore Police Force said they take a serious view of people who abuse positions of trust to commit criminal offences.

Police investigation timeline

Police received the initial report on July 3, 2025, alleging the man had used his position to make unauthorised bookings. Preliminary investigations then revealed the full extent of the fraud spanning three years. The case is now proceeding to court on September 23, 2026, marking the formal charging stage of the investigation.

Final Thoughts

The case highlights the risks of inadequate oversight in institutional booking systems and the consequences of abusing positions of trust. For SUTD and similar organisations, this incident underscores the need for stronger access controls and audit procedures to prevent unauthorised facility use and revenue loss.

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