A Woman in Singapore Sentenced for Bigamy: What is Known About the Unique Case.

According to ТСН: A 36-year-old woman from Vietnam was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison for bigamy, which is a crime under local laws in Singapore.

The woman admitted to committing the crime and acknowledged that she provided false information to the immigration authorities, hiding information about her child.

The Story of Nguyen Thi Phuong Thuy

Nguyen Thi Phuong Thuy married a 54-year-old man from Singapore in 2008 when she was 19 years old. The age difference between them was 35 years, and the marriage was officially registered in Singapore.

Around 2012, Nguyen returned to Vietnam, supposedly for treatment, where she met another man—a Vietnamese citizen who was three years older than her. They began a romantic relationship, and the woman spent more time in Vietnam.

Despite both knowing about Nguyen's existing marriage in Singapore, the couple decided to get married in Vietnam on July 28, 2015, when the woman was already pregnant by her second husband.

Subsequent Events

After the second marriage, Nguyen remained in Vietnam, only occasionally coming back to Singapore to renew her long-term visa. In 2016, she returned to Singapore to start the divorce process from her first husband. Their marriage was officially dissolved on November 3, 2017, and the second marriage was voided on March 9, 2018.

Court materials did not disclose how the bigamy became known. The prosecution requested three months of imprisonment.

The Trial

Nguyen, without a lawyer, approached the court through a translator, tearfully. She noted that she is the sole guardian of a 10-year-old boy who requires constant attention. She also mentioned that her father is partially paralyzed and her mother is elderly, and that she bears financial and emotional responsibility for her family.

The judge stated that he would consider the circumstances of the case and imposed a lighter sentence than what the prosecution required. Under Singaporean law, bigamy is punishable by up to seven years of imprisonment, a fine, or both.

This case draws attention to immigration law and social norms in Singapore. Bigamy is not a common practice here, so the situation of Nguyen Thi Phuong Thuy highlights the difficulties faced by women in situations involving cultural and legal obligations. The role of family ties in decision-making that can impact the lives of many people remains important.