Medical F*aud Gone Wrong: Job, Money, Freedom at Stake!

Su Qin, a 37-year-old software developer based in Singapore, recently faced serious repercussions after forging a medical certificate to secure nine days of paid sick leave. The incident came to light when her employer discovered discrepancies in her submitted documents, leading to an investigation that ultimately resulted in a hefty fine and the loss of her job. Su had manipulated an old medical certificate using Photoshop, altering the hospital name and dates to create the illusion of a legitimate medical absence.

Initially, Su sought time off due to personal stress related to her mother's health and her own well-being. However, fearing a negative impression at work, she resorted to forgery. The altered certificate claimed she was hospitalized at St. Luke’s Hospital, conveniently located near her home. Unfortunately for Su, her attempt at deception was thwarted when human resources noticed the blurred QR code on the document and requested the original certificate for verification.

In a desperate bid to cover her tracks, Su created a fake website to generate a new QR code and submitted another forged medical certificate. However, HR quickly confronted her about the inconsistencies, leading to her termination within 24 hours. Following her dismissal, HR filed a police complaint against Su for forgery. Despite repaying the company for the wages she received during her fraudulent leave, she was fined S$5,000 (approximately ₹3 lakh) by the court as part of the legal proceedings.

The case highlights the severe consequences of workplace dishonesty and raises questions about the pressures employees face in maintaining job security. Su's actions not only cost her a significant financial penalty but also resulted in the loss of her professional reputation. This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the lengths individuals may go to in order to navigate personal challenges while balancing their professional responsibilities.