SINGAPORE: A Singaporean car driver who staged traffic accidents to squeeze cash from unsuspecting motorists has been sentenced to 32 weeks in jail, ending a scheme that lasted more than four years.

Danial Ali Liaqat Ali, 28, was linked to at least 73 traffic incidents between September 2019 and January 2024. Most of the crashes were deliberately engineered, so he could demand on-the-spot cash settlements from other drivers.

On June 5, a Singapore court sentenced him to 32 weeks’ imprisonment and fined him S$6,000. He will also be barred from driving for 48 months after completing his jail term, The Star Online reported.

Road scam that uses motorists’ confusion to extract cash

The case stands out in the incidents involved and exposed a form of road scam that uses confusion, pressure, and motorists who prefer to avoid lengthy disputes.

Court documents showed that Danial actively sought opportunities to cause near-collisions or minor crashes. He would drive dangerously close to other vehicles, fail to brake in time or accelerate into situations likely to result in contact between vehicles.

After the incident, he would approach the other driver and claim compensation was needed for damage. He typically demanded private cash settlements ranging from S$180 to S$1,500. The total amount he collected wasn’t disclosed in court.

One incident took place on July 19, 2023, near the junction of Cantonment Road and Keppel Road. Court records showed Danial manoeuvred his vehicle in a way that created the appearance of a collision. Although no impact occurred, he later stopped the other motorist and claimed damage had been caused to his car. The driver paid him S$180.

The following day, he used a similar tactic on another motorist along Sims Avenue and extracted S$300.

In another case on Nov 5, 2023, along Geylang Road, Danial positioned his vehicle during a lane change and came into contact with another car’s side mirror. He then blamed the other motorist and obtained S$300.

Beyond the staged incidents, prosecutors said he failed to report 29 traffic accidents to the authorities between March 2023 and January 2024.

Fraud extended beyond the road

His troublemaker activities didn’t end just on the roads. Deputy Public Prosecutor Hidayat Amir told the court that while working as an assistant outlet manager at bakery-cafe chain Cedele, Danial created a membership account using his own details. He then entered his personal contact number into customer transactions to collect loyalty points.

Within days in October 2025, he accumulated enough points to redeem a S$100 voucher. He was also accused of pocketing S$100 cash from a customer later that month.

Road accidents should be handled through proper reporting channels, not private roadside settlements

During sentencing, prosecutors argued that Danial’s actions created serious risks for motorists and passengers. By deliberately engineering collisions and near-collisions, he exposed multiple road users to potential harm.

The case shows that even minor traffic incidents should be handled through proper reporting channels rather than private roadside settlements. A fast cash payment may seem like the easiest solution in the moment, but official reporting remains the best protection for everyone involved.

This article (Singaporean car driver linked to 73 traffic ‘accidents’ that were mostly staged gets 32 weeks jail and S$6K fine) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A 17-year-old is set to face court after a police chase that ended with six vehicles damaged, two people injured, and a long list of alleged traffic offences spanning three separate incidents.

The teenager will be charged in court after allegedly driving at speeds of up to 174km/h on the East Coast Parkway (ECP), running red lights, crashing into multiple vehicles, and fleeing from police.

According to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the teenager is linked to three separate traffic-related incidents between January 2025 and January 2026.

He faces several charges, including dangerous driving causing hurt, driving while underage, using deregistered vehicles and displaying false licence plates. Investigators also say it wasn’t an isolated incident.

The police chase ended with six vehicles damaged

The most serious incident took place on Jan 16, 2026, at about 10.50 pm. SPF said Traffic Police officers were patrolling along Paya Lebar Road when the driver sped away after spotting them, triggering a pursuit.

Investigations found that the teenager allegedly drove at extreme speeds, reaching 174 km/h on the ECP, where the speed limit is 90 km/h.

Police said he also drove at 96km/h along Guillemard Road, where the speed limit is 40km/h. During the chase, he allegedly beat multiple red lights and drove against traffic along roads including Ubi Avenue 2 and Lorong 28 Geylang.

The pursuit ended after the vehicle collided with several stationary cars. Five vehicles were hit before the car crashed into a sixth vehicle at the junction of Marine Parade Road and Still Road South. The driver of that vehicle and his 15-year-old passenger suffered injuries. SPF said the teenager then ran off on foot after the crash, but was later arrested by Traffic Police officers.

Fake plates and deregistered vehicles

Investigations uncovered additional alleged offences. Police said the car used during the chase was a deregistered vehicle fitted with a false licence plate. Officers also found a vaporiser and a pod inside the vehicle. The Health Sciences Authority investigated the matter but took no further action due to insufficient evidence.

Singapore Police Force (SPF)

Deregistered vehicle driven by the male teenager in the Jan 16, 2026 incident

The teenager is accused of offences including driving without a valid licence, using an uninsured vehicle, failing to stop after accidents, failing to assist injured parties, ignoring police orders to stop and providing false information to authorities.

He took his grandmother’s car without her knowledge

The Jan 16 chase wasn’t the first time the teenager had allegedly been caught behind the wheel. In January 2025, he allegedly took his grandmother’s car without her knowledge after finding the ignition key inside the unlocked vehicle. Police said he drove the car for about an hour before returning it. His grandmother later reported the vehicle missing.

In another incident on Jan 8, 2026, police checks at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre carpark led officers to discover that he had allegedly driven a different deregistered vehicle fitted with a false licence plate from Haig Road to the area.

Both incidents have resulted in additional charges, including driving while underage, using uninsured vehicles, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent and using deregistered vehicles.

Motorists who commit such serious traffic offences will face firm enforcement action

Singapore’s roads are heavily regulated, and cases involving underage drivers are relatively uncommon. What makes this case unusual is the combination of alleged offences across multiple incidents within a short period.

High-speed pursuits, fake licence plates and deregistered vehicles pose risks to drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other road users, who have no warning of the surrounding danger. SPF said motorists who commit such serious traffic offences, including not having valid licences or using deregistered vehicles, will face firm enforcement action.

The police also urged members of the public to report suspected illegal activity and reminded road users that keeping roads safe is a shared responsibility.

Driving is a responsibility, not a thrill

The allegations in this case read like a list of what road users are told never to do: speeding, ignoring traffic lights, driving without a licence and fleeing after crashes.

Most people reach home safely each day because everyone follows the same rules, but when these rules are ignored, innocent motorists end up paying the price. Cases like this are why road safety laws exist in the first place.

This article (SPF: 17-year-old who drove at 174 kmh on ECP to be charged over multiple traffic offences, including dangerous driving and fake licence plates) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: The long queue at Woodlands Checkpoint during the Vesak Day holiday period appears to have tested the patience of some motorists. For 30 vehicle drivers, that impatience came at a cost.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that 30 motorists were caught committing traffic offences during intensified enforcement operations at Woodlands Checkpoint between May 28 and June 1, according to an ICA statement released on June 5.

The offences ranged from queue cutting and crossing double white lines to making illegal right turns and stopping in positions that could create danger or obstruct traffic.

Of the 30 motorists detected, 21 were ordered to make a U-turn and return to the back of the queue. Nine drivers of foreign-registered vehicles were also barred from entering Singapore for offences that included queue cutting and crossing double white lines. Fifteen motorists were referred to the Traffic Police for further action.

Holiday traffic seems to bring the same problems

Long weekends see heavy traffic at Singapore’s land checkpoints as travellers head across the Causeway. While congestion is expected, queue cutting remains one of the most complained-about behaviours among motorists.

A single vehicle attempting to jump the queue can trigger frustration among hundreds of drivers who have spent hours waiting for their turn. It can also create safety risks when vehicles suddenly change lanes or cross road markings to gain an advantage.

ICA’s latest enforcement operation shows that authorities are paying close attention to such behaviour, particularly during peak travel periods when traffic volumes surge.

Motorists were even caught committing offences that could endanger other road users

ICA said some motorists were caught committing offences that could endanger other road users. Crossing double white lines and making illegal turns can force other drivers to react suddenly, increasing the risk of accidents in already congested areas.

Stopping in unsuitable locations can also create bottlenecks and worsen traffic flow.

ICA said it takes a serious view of motorists who break traffic laws or fail to follow officers’ instructions at checkpoints, as such actions can compromise others’ safety. The authority added that it will continue taking firm action against offenders.

A reminder for travellers using Singapore checkpoints

The latest figures may appear modest compared with the thousands of vehicles that cross the Causeway daily. Still, they serve as a sign that enforcement remains active and that authorities are prepared to act against those seeking shortcuts.

The fastest way through a checkpoint remains to stay in lane, follow instructions and wait for your turn.

Holiday traffic can be frustrating, but a few minutes saved by cutting a queue may end up costing far more in penalties, delays and inconvenience. A little patience goes a long way when everyone is trying to reach the same destination.

This article (Immigration and Checkpoints Authority: 30 motorists were caught committing dangerous driving, including queue-cutting offences at Woodlands Checkpoint; 15 were referred to the traffic police for further action) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.