SINGAPORE — A Singaporean man in his early 40s, known only as Mr Tan, is now left with a broken heart and an empty wallet after spending tens of thousands of dollars on matchmaking agencies in hopes of marrying a Vietnamese woman — only for his bride to vanish weeks after their wedding.
Mr Tan, a technician living in Ang Mo Kio, said he had struggled for years to find a local partner. “I tried dating apps, speed dating, even joined church groups, but nothing worked,” he said. Feeling desperate and lonely, he turned to international matchmaking agencies that promised “loyal and family-oriented wives” from Vietnam.
Over two years, Mr Tan forked out close to $40,000 across three different agencies. The costs included agent fees, travel arrangements, translator services, and even dowry gifts for the bride’s family. In early 2025, he finally met Linh*, a 27-year-old woman from Ho Chi Minh City. “She was quiet, polite, and seemed like the traditional type. The agency told me she was serious about settling down,” he recalled.
The couple had a small wedding in Vietnam before Linh moved to Singapore under a Long-Term Visit Pass. At first, things seemed normal — she cooked, cleaned, and was respectful to Mr Tan’s elderly mother. But just six weeks after arriving, she vanished. Her phone was turned off, and her belongings were gone.
“I came home from work and the room was empty. I panicked.”There was little they could do since it wasn’t a crime for her to leave,” Mr Tan said.
He later discovered through online forums that Linh might have been part of a growing trend — foreign brides who marry Singaporean men for residency status or financial gain before disappearing. Some even remarry elsewhere using fake identities.
Feeling ashamed and betrayed, Mr Tan warns others to be cautious. “I was looking for love, not a transaction. These agencies don’t care once the money is paid,” he said. “Now I’ve got debt, and people laugh behind my back.”
Authorities have advised Singaporeans to exercise caution and conduct thorough checks when using overseas matchmaking services. While not illegal, the industry remains largely unregulated — leaving vulnerable individuals like Mr Tan open to heartbreak and exploitation.
*Name changed for privacy.
Source: Reddit