A 32-year-old man from Singapore, Yong Ming Quan, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after attempting to engage in inappropriate activities with a 14-year-old boy. The case, which has raised significant concerns about child safety and online interactions, highlights the dangers of predatory behaviour in digital spaces.
The Disturbing Encounter
In December 2024, Yong, then 31, initiated contact with the boy through a Telegram bot named “Leomatch”. Despite being aware of the boy’s age, Yong misrepresented his own age as 18. The conversations quickly escalated, with Yong proposing a “friends with benefits” arrangement, revealing his true age of 30 during their exchanges. Alarmingly, even after the boy disclosed his age, Yong continued to pursue the inappropriate relationship.
The situation took a serious turn when the boy confided in his father about Yong’s advances. In a bid to catch Yong in the act, the father advised his son to invite Yong to their home. On December 18, 2024, the boy informed Yong that he was feeling “horny”, prompting Yong to agree to visit.
Police Intervention and Arrest
As Yong made his way to the boy’s residence, the victim alerted the police, informing them of Yong’s intentions and that he had requested to bring sex toys. Officers arrived just in time to apprehend Yong as he approached the boy. During the arrest, authorities seized several items, including a transparent dildo, an egg-shaped sex toy, and a bottle of lubricant, which were intended for the encounter.
Following his arrest, Yong was remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for a forensic psychiatric evaluation. The assessment revealed that he had been diagnosed with paedophilic disorder, although it was determined that this condition did not impair his judgement at the time of the offence.
Previous Offences and Sentencing
Yong’s criminal history includes a previous conviction in 2021 for secretly filming a male victim in the shower and possessing obscene materials involving minors. For his recent actions, he faced two charges: one for sexual grooming of a minor and another for accessing child abuse materials, which included a significant number of explicit images and videos. On July 28, 2025, Yong pleaded guilty to the grooming charge and was sentenced to 12 months in prison, while the second charge was considered during sentencing.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting children from online predators. It underscores the need for parents to engage in open conversations with their children about online safety and the potential dangers of interacting with strangers on social media platforms.
As society continues to navigate the complexities of digital communication, it is crucial to remain aware of the risks and to take proactive measures to safeguard the well-being of young individuals.