The penalties for white collar crimes in Singapore vary depending on the specific offense and the severity of the crime. Generally, they can include hefty fines, imprisonment, asset forfeiture, disqualification from directorships, and regulatory sanctions. For instance, convictions under the Prevention of Corruption Act can lead to substantial fines and lengthy jail terms. Similarly, offenses under the Securities and Futures Act can result in severe financial penalties and imprisonment.

Several key legislations govern white-collar crimes in Singapore:

• Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA): This act addresses bribery and corruption offenses.
• Securities and Futures Act (SFA): This act regulates insider trading and market misconduct, ensuring the integrity of Singapore’s financial markets.
• Companies Act: This act governs corporate governance violations, ensuring that companies operate within legal and ethical boundaries.
• Penal Code: This code covers fraud, cheating, and forgery offenses, which are common in white collar crime cases.
• Computer Misuse Act: This act addresses cybercrime offenses, including unauthorised access to computer systems and data breaches.

Yes, corporations can be held criminally liable for offenses committed by their employees, especially if there is evidence of poor internal controls, lack of compliance, or negligence. This emphasises the importance of implementing robust compliance programs and ensuring that employees are aware of and adhere to legal and ethical standards.

Gathering and preserving evidence is crucial in a sexual harassment case. Various forms of evidence can be used to support your claim, including:

• Text messages, emails, and social media messages containing harassing content.
• CCTV footage or photographs that may have captured incidents of physical or non-verbal harassment.
• Voice recordings of harassing conversations or incidents (while adhering to Singapore’s laws on recording private conversations).
• Witness testimonies from individuals who may have observed the harassment or its impact on you.
• Past complaints you may have filed internally or externally regarding the harassment.
• Medical reports or psychological evaluations documenting the emotional or physical distress caused by the harassment.

Several legal defenses for white collar crime may be available, depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Common legal defenses include:

• Lack of Intent: Demonstrating that there was no deliberate wrongdoing.
• Insufficient Evidence: Arguing that the prosecutors have not proven guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Duress or Coercion: Claiming that the individual was forced to participate in an illegal act.
• Procedural Errors: Identifying illegal searches or breaches of due process during the investigation.

The attorneys in our law firm can advise clients on suitable defenses pertaining to their specific case and circumstances.

Businesses can implement several measures to prevent white collar crime, starting with strong corporate governance and compliance programmes that establish clear policies and procedures for ethical conduct. Consulting with corporate lawyers or employment lawyers in Singapore can assist in drafting robust codes of conduct suitable for an organisation of any size, scale, or sector.

Organisations should conduct periodic internal audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities, while educating employees on ethical conduct and the consequences of illegal activities. Internal policies should also account for whistleblower protection, encouraging employees to report suspected misconduct without fear of retaliation.