A 20-year-old Singaporean woman who was reported missing after travelling to Cambodia without informing her family has been found safe, bringing relief to her loved ones following an anxious search spanning two countries.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed on Friday that Cambodian police had located the young woman safely after authorities in both nations worked together to trace her whereabouts.
SPF thanked the Cambodian authorities for their swift response and said investigations are continuing to better understand the circumstances surrounding the incident. The police are also liaising with the Cambodian National Police and will provide further assistance where necessary. Meanwhile, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Singapore Embassy in Phnom Penh are offering consular support to the woman’s family.
Family Believed She Had Gone to School
The woman, identified as Siti Aishah Siregar Sahat Siregar, was first reported missing after her father appealed on social media for help from both Singaporean and Cambodian authorities.
According to her family, Aishah had left home on the morning of Jul. 28 after telling her mother she was heading to classes at Nanyang Polytechnic as usual.
Concern grew later that afternoon when family members attempted to contact her but were unable to reach her. Her phone appeared to be switched off, while her WhatsApp account had become inactive.
As the family searched for clues, they realised her passport was no longer at home. Police later confirmed that she had already departed Singapore on a flight to Phnom Penh.
Further checks of her email reportedly uncovered an airline booking confirming that she had travelled to Cambodia.
Money Transfers Raised Alarm
The discovery of additional emails deepened the family’s concerns.
According to reports, Aishah had transferred several hundred dollars to an individual unknown to her family in the days leading up to her disappearance.
Her brother reportedly recognised the name as someone she had frequently interacted with online while gaming. He said Aishah had been playing games with the individual almost daily for more than a year and had occasionally mentioned the person’s name during conversations at home.
The family had never met or spoken with the individual, prompting fears that Aishah may have been persuaded to travel overseas under false pretences.
Her relatives described her as an obedient young woman whose sudden decision to leave Singapore without informing anyone was highly unusual.
Authorities Continue Investigations
Although Aishah has now been located safely, Singapore authorities have not disclosed further details about the circumstances leading to her journey to Cambodia or where exactly she was found.
SPF said it remains in contact with Cambodian law enforcement as investigations continue.
The case also highlights the growing risks associated with online relationships, particularly those developed through gaming platforms and social media. Police have repeatedly reminded the public to exercise caution when communicating with people they have only met online and to be wary of requests involving money or overseas travel.
With Aishah now safe, attention is expected to shift towards understanding what led to her departure and whether any criminal activity was involved.