08/04/2022

Trainer Convicted For Fraud Against Then Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) Training Grants

At a plead guilty hearing on 17 December 2021, Marsh Terranova Tiruchellam, a 54-year-old trainer, was convicted of three charges of falsifying attendance records to defraud then-WDA into believing that he had conducted the courses. Three similar charges were taken into consideration for sentencing. Marsh Terranova Tiruchellam is the last of the five individuals to be sentenced for this case involving more than $72,000 in training grants.

Marsh Terranova Tiruchellam was a trainer of Loyal Reliance Pte Ltd, a training provider engaged to conduct courses for employees of Yoke Mah Plasterceil Pte Ltd. Between July 2014 and November 2014, he falsified six attendance records, which showed that employees of Yoke Mah Plasterceil Pte Ltd attained full attendance for courses even though he did not conduct the courses.

For his offences, Marsh Terranova Tiruchellam was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment on 8 April 2022.

Four other individuals were earlier convicted and sentenced to imprisonment terms ranging from 11 weeks to 29 months.

SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) takes a serious view of any individual or organisation that defrauds or abuses SSG funding. Their actions undermine the work of many others who dedicate their career and businesses to delivering proper, high quality adult education to Singaporeans. SSG will not hesitate to take action against those found to have contravened our funding terms and conditions.

SSG encourages members of the public to contact us if you are aware of potential fraud or abuse cases at audit@ssg.gov.sg or our whistleblowing hotline at 6326 2828.