Woman from China, 31, pays S’porean man, 35, S$20,000 for fake marriage to stay in S’pore

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Woman from China, 31, pays S’porean man, 35, S$20,000 for fake marriage to stay in S’pore​

She entered the fake marriage to start a business in Singapore.


Julia Yeo

March 22, 2026, 11:34 AM​

She entered the fake marriage to start a business in Singapore.


A 31-year-old Chinese national was sentenced to six months and eight weeks’ jail for entering into a sham marriage with a Singaporean man in order to remain in Singapore.

The woman, Zhong Fangyuan (transliteration), faced six charges under the Immigration Act, Shin Min Daily News reported.

She pleaded guilty to two, with the remaining charges taken into consideration during sentencing.

Arranged to stay at her home at least once a week​

According to court documents, Zhong met 35-year-old Singaporean Zhou Peihao (transliteration) in mid-November 2023 through a friend to discuss a fake marriage arrangement.

This is so she could stay in Singapore to start a business with another friend.

At their first meeting, Zhou initially demanded S$80,000 to go through with the marriage. Zhong found the amount too high, and after negotiations, the pair agreed on a lower sum.

Zhong agreed to pay Zhou S$2,000 upon registration of the marriage, S$8,000 after completing the ceremony, and S$10,000 annually until she successfully obtained permanent residency.

She also asked Zhou to stay at her home at least once a week to create the impression that they were genuinely married.

The pair registered their marriage on Nov. 30, 2023, and held a ceremony at a steamboat restaurant along Beach Road on Dec. 4.

Zhong paid Zhou in cash at each stage as agreed.

Although they did not live together, Zhong had Zhou place some of his personal belongings in her home to seem like they were living together.

Both arrested after checks conducted by authorities​

By the end of 2024, Zhong had paid Zhou a total of S$20,000, including S$10,000 as promised.

Zhou, in turn, successfully applied for three short-term visit passes and two long-term visit passes on Zhong’s behalf.

Authorities conducted enforcement checks on Jul. 9, 2024, at Zhong’s residence in Joo Chiat and Zhou’s residence in Marsiling, and found that the pair were not living together.

Both were subsequently arrested.

Zhong’s lawyer told the court that she holds a master’s degree, sharing that the defendant originally intended to work in Singapore to support herself, and was actively involved in community service.

Zhong expressed deep remorse for her actions and promised not to reoffend, asking the court for leniency.

Her lawyer added that she was diagnosed with depression between 2023 and 2024, and had sought treatment both in China and Singapore.

In delivering the sentence, the judge said Zhong had committed a serious offence by deceiving the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, noting that such offences are difficult to detect.