The Working Family & Student Financial Assistance Agency today said Police arrested a total of six people for allegedly defrauding or intending to defraud the agency, involving an amount of about $30,000.

The agency had recently conducted a joint operation with Police to combat fraudulent acts by those seeking to obtain the Working Family Allowance (WFA) illegally.

The agency's Working Family Allowance Office, when processing WFA applications in April, detected suspicious documentary proof relating to employment and income submitted by some applicants.

The agency swiftly reported the incident and referred the cases suspected of using false documents to Police for investigation.

After a thorough investigation, Police recently carried out an operation and arrested a total of six people so far for allegedly defrauding or intending to defraud the agency.

The agency will continue to render full assistance to Police in the investigation and recover the overpaid allowances from the relevant persons as appropriate in a timely manner.

The agency pointed out that it scrutinises every WFA application in a stringent manner and has established a mechanism to identify and guard against fraud cases.

It added that it will continue to examine WFA applications in a stringent manner to ensure the proper use of public funds. People are urged not to defraud the agency.

The WFA Scheme aims to support low-income working households. Applicants are required to submit documentary proof of working hours, income and assets to the agency for assessing their eligibility.

Anyone obtaining the WFA by deception will be disqualified for the WFA and are liable to a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment.