Quora Answer: How did Kong Hee Manage to Cheat People for Years?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “Singapore is known for low crime rates, so how did ‘pastor’ Kong Hee manage to cheat and amass so much money, publicly from people for years?  Is there no regulatory body overseeing the religious establishments?”

As the Singapore Police Force slogan goes, “Low crime does not mean no crime.”  As much as I dislike the Prosperity Gospel, and think its adherents are not the brightest, it is not illegal to collect funds from church members.  As such, this contention that Kong Hee cheated for years is simply untrue.  Kong Hee, and his accomplices, were charged and sentenced for misuse of church funds to fund the failed singing career of his wife.  It was a specific charge, pertaining to a specific act.  And they were caught.

For organisations that run charities, there is a Commissioner of Charities, and I can state from personal experience, as a former vice-president of a volunteer welfare organisation, that they are very strict, and thorough, with their audits.  Also, complaints to the Commercial Affairs Department are diligently followed up.  There really is no argument here.  These people got caught, and they paid a high price, including lifetime bans on being in a management capacity of any charity organisation.  There were severe financial penalties in addition to the prison terms.  Unlike places like the US, a disgraced pastor cannot start another church, and claim “Jesus forgave him”.