SINGAPORE – In a shocking case of deceit, a man has been charged with tricking six unsuspecting victims into handing over a staggering $25,700 through a web of fabricated stories.

Tan Yu Shu, 27, faces an alarming 11 counts of cheating as well as a charge under the Moneylenders Act after his elaborate scams came to light. According to court documents, which outline a series of false narratives he spun—including tales of crippling credit card debt, disastrous trading losses, and even a fabricated traffic accident—Tan's manipulative strategies appear to have found a chilling level of success until now.

Court Appearance

Appearing via video-link in court on November 13, Tan wore a white shirt and was visibly subdued, looking down as the prosecution requested a four-week adjournment to finalize their investigations. A poignant detail emerged during the proceedings: Tan had made only partial restitution of $7,000 to his victims. The court set his bail at $20,000.

Method of Deceit

Investigations revealed that Tan began his deceitful saga in early 2023. In one instance, a victim transferred $3,500 to him in October 2023 after he falsely claimed he needed a loan to cover trading losses. This victim would soon fall prey again, handing over another $3,500 in December under the guise of needing help with credit card bills.

Another victim fell for Tan's lies in June 2024, when he falsely claimed he was involved in a traffic accident, extracting a generous $4,000 from the individual. Later in June and July, this same victim was manipulated into transferring an additional $1,500 under the pretense of needing assistance with mobile phone bills and his housing rental.

In April, a third victim was persuaded to transfer $1,000 after Tan informed her that his bank account with POSB was frozen—yet another ploy in a series of deceitful acts.

Additional Charges

Furthermore, Tan faces charges under the Moneylenders Act for allegedly aiding an unidentified individual in conducting a moneylending operation. Authorities claim he provided his internet banking details to allow this person access to his Trust Bank account.

Next Court Date

The case will resume on December 11, and if Tan is convicted of cheating, he could face up to 10 years in prison, along with hefty financial penalties. This scandal serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some individuals will go to exploit the trust of others, shedding light on the pressing issue of fraud in the ever-evolving digital age.

Stay tuned for updates!