Indian-Origin Man in Singapore Receives Nine-Month Jail Term for Impersonating Prison Officer
An Indian-origin man residing in Singapore has been sentenced to nine months in jail after he was found guilty of impersonating a prison officer. Prakash Paramasivam, aged 25, sent fraudulent emails to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and other high-ranking public officials in a desperate attempt to seek assistance regarding his previous criminal convictions.
Guilty Plea and Court Proceedings
Prakash Paramasivam pleaded guilty to three charges of pretending to be a public servant. Additionally, he admitted to a separate charge of using a forged medical certificate as if it were genuine. The sentencing took place on February 16, as reported by The Strait Times, marking a significant legal outcome in this case of deception and fraud.
Details of the Impersonation Scheme
According to court documents, the incident began on February 16, 2024, when Prakash sent an email to the secretariat of the Singapore parliament. In this communication, he claimed that he had been "falsely charged" in earlier legal cases. Posing as a staff member of the Singapore Prison Service, he wrote, "Those offences were done by his ex-(schoolmates), teachers from Metta School located (in Simei)... My ex-inmate has... evidence... that he's innocent."
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ernest Chua stated that Prakash misrepresented himself deliberately to enhance his chances of obtaining official help. Just two days later, he repeated this impersonation in an email to then National Development Minister Desmond Lee. In this message, he falsely claimed that his mother was a victim of domestic abuse and urgently needed assistance.
Email to President Tharman and Arrest
On February 24, 2024, Prakash escalated his efforts by sending another email directly to President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. He asserted, "My ex-inmate (had) been charged falsely by the police and the State Court... (The) judge... sentenced wrongfully without notice and unfair of his defence." This brazen attempt to manipulate the highest office in Singapore led to his arrest four days later, on February 28, 2024.
Background of Previous Offences
The prosecution revealed that Prakash has a history of criminal behavior, having been in and out of jail between 2018 and 2023. His past offences include criminal intimidation by anonymous communication, indicating a pattern of engaging in deceptive and threatening activities.
Further Offences After Release on Bail
After being released on bail on February 29, 2024, Prakash reoffended in July 2025. He obtained a medical certificate stating he was unfit for duties for two days, though it was explicitly noted as "not valid for absence from court attendance." He later altered the document to falsely indicate he was "unfit to attend court," and his mother submitted this forged certificate to a district court. The fraud was uncovered after police verified the certificate with the issuing doctor.
Prosecutor's Call for Deterrent Sentence
During the court proceedings, the prosecutor emphasized the need for a deterrent sentence, stating, "The accused has... shown himself to be a serial and habitual offender with a marked proclivity towards sending false messages to third parties." This characterization underscores the repeated nature of Prakash's deceptive actions and the court's decision to impose a jail term as a consequence.
This case highlights the serious legal repercussions of impersonating public officials and attempting to defraud government authorities in Singapore. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of integrity in communications with public offices and the stringent measures in place to combat such fraudulent activities.
