On June 5, 2025, Singaporean authorities apprehended three women and one man, aged between 47 and 61, for their alleged involvement in a series of blessing scams that have targeted unsuspecting victims in the city-state.
Details of the Scams
The investigation began on June 3, 2025, when a victim reported being deceived by three women in the Chinatown area. The incident unfolded when the first woman approached the victim under the pretense of seeking directions to a Chinese physician. Shortly after, a second woman joined the conversation, claiming to know a suitable physician but insisted that consultations could only take place outside due to overcrowding. This woman persuaded the victim to pose as her relative, leading her to meet a third woman who falsely claimed to be a Chinese physician.
During this encounter, the victim was told that she was suffering from misfortune due to negative spiritual influences. The three women convinced her to meet at Hong Lim Park, where the victim surrendered $700 in cash and a gold necklace featuring a Guan Yin pendant. The so-called physician then placed these items in a black plastic bag and conducted a fake blessing ritual, instructing the victim to keep the bag unopened under her bed for a month. Upon checking the bag the following day, the victim discovered that her valuables had been replaced with leaves.
A similar incident occurred on June 4, 2025, in the Clementi area, where two women approached another victim. After engaging her in conversation and noticing cash in her bag, they convinced her to place her valuables, totaling $700, into a black trash bag for “safekeeping.” The victim later realized that her money had vanished.
Police Investigation and Arrests
Following extensive inquiries and the review of CCTV footage, law enforcement officials identified the three women and a fourth male accomplice. All four suspects were arrested on June 5, 2025. During the operation, the police recovered the victim’s gold necklace and seized cash amounting to S$1,311 and RMB10,050 as evidence.
Legal Consequences and Public Advisory
The suspects are set to face charges in court on June 6, 2025, for conspiracy to cheat under Section 420 in conjunction with Section 109 of the Penal Code 1871. This offense carries a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine.
The Singapore Police Force urges the public to remain vigilant against individuals claiming to offer spiritual assistance or blessing services. They emphasize that no legitimate religious practitioner would request money or valuables for such rituals. Citizens are encouraged to inform elderly family members about these scams and to report any suspicious encounters to the police immediately. For further information on scams, individuals can visit ScamShield or contact the ScamShield Helpline at 1799.
For any information related to these scams, the public can reach out to the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit details online at Police.gov.sg.