SINGAPORE: A man was allegedly cheated of S$800 on Wednesday (Sept 3) by two people pretending to be tourists in financial difficulty.
The suspects allegedly used a fake bank receipt and a counterfeit gold ring in their ruse to get the victim to hand over his money.
The police said on Sept 5 that the two suspects will be charged in court on Saturday (Sept 6).
According to the police, the victim was approached by a 31-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman at the main entrance of a supermarket in Joo Koon Circle, located near Upper Jurong Road.
The suspects allegedly pretended to be tourists from Hong Kong who were facing financial difficulties due to a malfunctioning bank card.
The 31-year-old man allegedly asked the victim for $800 in cash so he could fulfil an urgent hotel payment, presenting a fabricated bank transfer receipt to the victim as purported proof of payment in exchange for the cash.
To further establish his credibility, the man also allegedly presented a counterfeit gold ring, claiming that it was worth RM11,980 (S$3,663).
The victim then withdrew $800 and handed the cash to the man. The victim discovered he had been cheated after he realised that no money had been transferred to his account.
He verified with his bank that the transfer was fictitious and confirmed at a pawn shop that the ring was a counterfeit, said the police.
The victim made a report to the police on Sept 4 at 2.25pm. The duo were arrested early on Sept 5.
A total of 15 identical counterfeit gold rings, cash amounting to $1,578, and mobile phones containing fabricated transaction receipts were seized.
The duo will be charged with the offence of cheating with common intention. Those found guilty can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined.
The police advise members of the public to be cautious when approached by strangers seeking financial assistance. - The Straits Times/ANN
