Mr Andreas, a 39-year-old Singaporean, was sentenced to a $500 fine or in default one week imprisonment, and a two weeks jail sentence for a three-quarter tank offence.

On Dec 1, Mr Andreas drove his vehicle through the Woodlands Checkpoint to enter Malaysia.

During the course of inspection, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer officer noticed a remote control found in the car.

It was suspected to be used for tampering with the fuel gauge reading.

Mr Andreas thrice denied tampering with the fuel gauge when the ICA officer questioned him.

But when the ICA officer activated the remote control and the fuel indicator fell towards the "empty" level.

Mr Andreas was subsequestly arrested and charged in court on Dec 2.

Tampering with the fuel gauge of the vehicle so that it gives a false reading that the amount of fuel in the fuel tank is three-quarters full is a serious offence

Mr Andreas is the fourth person to be convicted for the offence this year.

Singapore Customs has successfully prosecuted seven persons for tampering with their car fuel gauges from 2006 to date. All offenders were convicted and were sentenced to both fines and imprisonment.

This year, Andreas was the fourth person convicted for the offence.

Furthermore, from 2006 to date, more than 7,370 motorists had been fined for not having at least three-quarter tank of petrol when leaving Singapore.

Under the law, Singapore-registered cars must have at least three-quarter tank of petrol when departing Singapore.

Motorists are advised against any attempts to infringe the rule given the stringent checks at the checkpoints. Those caught with less than three-quarter tank of petrol can be fined up to $500.