Property data used to combat fraudsters

The Ministry of Land and Resources is to start sharing real estate registration information with the Ministry of Civil Affairs to verify whether people qualify for social welfare, according to a circular released on Wednesday.

The circular said such an information exchange is crucial to judging a household's financial situation, with the aim to "precisely spot" families in need and prevent fraudulent claims.

It stressed that the checks will only target families receiving social welfare, and warned that those who abuse or leak the data will be punished.