Sentencing and Charges
Benjamin Song Yong Pang, a 38-year-old former captain in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), was sentenced on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, to 21 months and two weeks in jail. In addition to the custodial sentence, Song was fined S$6,000. He had previously pleaded guilty to five charges of cheating and four charges related to the possession and procurement of e-vaporisers.
According to court records, Song, who served as a deputy cluster commander at a supply base, systematically deceived five colleagues—many of whom were his direct subordinates—between May 2021 and March 2024. Through 39 separate instances of deceit, he convinced them to hand over a total of S$86,750. He falsely claimed the funds were for investments or for his mother’s medical expenses. Individual losses for the victims ranged from S$10,000 to S$27,050.
Abuse of Rank and Workplace Culture
The investigation revealed that Song’s criminal activities extended beyond financial fraud. Starting in late 2021, he began using e-vaporisers, which are strictly regulated in Singapore, and openly vaped within his office at Nee Soon Camp. The court heard that his behavior normalized vaping within his unit, creating a coercive environment for his subordinates.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) confirmed that Song leveraged his military rank to compel three subordinates to procure and deliver vape products for him on multiple occasions. One subordinate testified that they complied with Song’s requests out of fear of refusing a superior officer. Furthermore, Song was found to have actively introduced a female colleague to vaping by providing her with both a device and refill pods.
Financial Context and Restitution
The court documents highlighted that Song’s financial instability stemmed from long-term habits. Between 2011 and 2018, he had accumulated significant credit card debt fueled by repeated visits to Thai clubs and karaoke lounges while holding his position at the supply base. While the exact total of his debt remained undisclosed, it served as the underlying motive for his eventual exploitation of colleagues. Song has since made full restitution to the five victims, a factor that likely influenced the court’s final sentencing considerations.