Dear The Real Singapore,
I refer to your recent article titled: Nearly 650 clients' account info stolen from Standard Charted Bank Singapore.
I would like to share with you, what a current Filipino girlfriend of mine, desperate to stay on here, told me with regards to this seemingly simple issue. She told me that a friend of hers by the name of Jovizen, one of the thousands of foreign workforce there engaged by the bank in co-operation with Jones Lang LaSalle, that the breaches did not occur only now but earlier in February this year.
The bank initially tried to keep this matter under wraps but was unable to do so due to the large number of persons affected who threatened to report to the international press if they bank did not compensate them reasonably because of their important status. The talks then broke down as many did not agree to the bank settlement and the management had no choice but to go public with the theft. So Jovizen said that those who agreed to leverages from the bank before the issue went public were smart enough to do so.
My girlfriend also told me it is common practice for the Filipino community working here at various banks island wide to share their clients personal details when they socialize as well as bitch about Singaporeans who are worthless in comparison to these Chinese Nationals and Caucasians. Those who are single or seeking greener pastures then try to hook up with these high net worth individuals through their various formidable contacts formed during Singapore's "booming years of immigration" some time back.
I am very alarmed upon hearing this and am still so from learning how the Singapore economy is in such fragile state at the hands of foreigners. How foolish can the civil service especially MOM be, in making statements that we still require more foreigners to supplement our workforce. I wonder if the permanent secretaries will only wake up if something like this happens to them.
W. Sim
TRS contributor