Foreign domestic worker jailed and fined for 12-year illegal cleaning scheme

A Filipina foreign domestic worker was sentenced on 3 February 2026 to 16 weeks' jail and fined S$25,000 for working illegally as a part-time cleaner in Singapore for more than 12 years.

According to reporting by CNA, 51-year-old Maya Clarina Santos Tagapan earned an estimated S$296,000 (approximately US$232,500) through unauthorised cleaning work for at least five households between 2010 and 2023.

Tagapan pleaded guilty to one count each of working as a self-employed foreigner without a valid work pass and failing to reside at the location registered on her work permit. A third charge was taken into consideration during sentencing.

If she fails to pay the fine, she will serve an additional five weeks' jail.

Long-running illegal employment arrangement

The court heard that Tagapan initially met Singaporean woman Judy Gan in 2007, when she was performing part-time work for her while employed by another household.

In 2010, with her previous employer leaving Singapore, Tagapan asked Gan to formally sponsor her work permit so she could continue living and working in the country.

Gan agreed to the arrangement under the condition that Tagapan would find her own accommodation and work part-time for Gan only on Sundays, from 9am to 3pm. During the rest of the week, Tagapan was expected to find her own cleaning jobs.

Gan paid only the monthly foreign worker levy of S$300, of which S$200 was reimbursed by Tagapan. Gan also paid her S$90 per cleaning session on Sundays.

An application was made to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for Tagapan to be issued a work permit under Gan’s name as her domestic worker.

However, from November 2012 to March 2023, Tagapan worked for at least five other households at properties including Faber Condominium, Waterfront Isle Condominium, and River Place Condominium. Her services included mopping, vacuuming, laundry, and ironing.

On average, she earned about S$2,000 per month from these illegal jobs, totalling approximately S$296,000 over the period.

Breach of living conditions

Despite her work permit listing Gan’s residence at Jalan Redop as her official address, Tagapan did not reside there. Instead, she rented bed space at various locations, including a unit at Commonwealth Drive, where she stayed from 2021 to 2023, paying S$400 monthly in rent.

The MOM began investigating the case in March 2023 following a tip-off about a suspected breach of employment laws.

MOM prosecutor Nee Yingxin sought a custodial sentence of 20 to 24 weeks and a fine of S$25,000 to S$26,000.

She described the offence as persistent, spanning over 12 years and four months. Quoting remarks by then Acting Minister for Manpower Tan Chuan-Jin during the second reading of the Employment of Foreign Manpower (Amendment) Bill in 2012, she highlighted that such offences undermine Singapore’s labour policies and protections for its citizens.

“Deception” and personal gain

Prosecutor Nee stated that Tagapan had knowingly orchestrated the illegal arrangement and engaged in "practising deception on the authorities." Her actions implicated others, including Gan, whose case remains before the courts.

“This is precisely the type of errant foreign employee the law was designed to deter,” said Nee, adding that Tagapan's actions were motivated purely by personal gain.

The prosecution noted that her case involved a longer duration and nearly double the illicit profits of a previous similar offender, Ravichandran Amar Sarathas Kumari.

Gan, who is now 47, has been charged in relation to her role and is awaiting trial.

Under Singapore law, foreigners found working without a valid work pass face up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$20,000, or both.

Violating a work pass condition, such as failing to reside at the declared address, is punishable by up to one year’s imprisonment, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.