Conmen preying on gullible elderly folk

SEVERAL elderly women have been scammed of thousands of dollars in cash and jewellery.

According to the police, more than five cases have been reported since the beginning of this year. There were 12 such cases last year.

The latest incident happened just last Wednesday when a woman

in her mid-60s lost S$50,000 (RM115,000) to three fraudsters.

The victim said she was at an exercising area near Block 802, Yishun Ring Road, when a woman approached her and asked if she knew of an old man living in the vicinity who could cure illnesses.

Shortly after, a second woman, who appeared curious, joined in the conversation. A third woman then approached them. She said she was the granddaughter of the “healer.”

The granddaughter then predicted that the elderly woman would fall sick soon. However, she would be cured if she gave a sum of money for some prayers to be performed by the man. The money, she said, would be returned after the prayers were done.

The victim gave the women the money and that was the last she saw of them. She later lodged a police report.

In most cases, the victims were told to place cash and jewellery in a plastic bag for the prayers and the bag would be returned to them later.

The conmen would then instruct their victims to open the plastic bag a few days later.

But when they did so, they would only find apples and other items instead of the cash and jewellery. This scam has been around for a while but people continue to fall for it. – The Straits Times / Asia News Network

The Star