Woman, 77, loses $44k in cash and jewellery to con artists claiming she was cursed
One of the accused, 56-year-old Li Yu Lian (transliterated), pleaded guilty on July 18 to one count of cheating. The incident happened in November 2019.
According to Shin Min Daily News, the victim was walking near Block 815 Jellicoe Road on the morning of Nov 16, 2019, when she was approached by a woman, Liang Gui Lian (transliterated), who asked if she knew of a 90-year-old doctor living nearby.
Liang was reportedly an accomplice of the accused.
When the woman said she didn't, Li joined the conversation, claiming to know the doctor personally.
Li then claimed the elderly woman had three sons and a daughter - a detail the group had learned in advance.
Having gained the woman's trust, she told her that she was cursed and needed the doctor's help to lift it.
But treatment, she said, required a large sum of money, and the doctor only treated patients in even numbers. She then used this as a reason to accompany the victim.
The victim returned home to collect $8,000 in cash, gold jewellery and her bank book, then withdrew another $36,000 from a bank near Boon Keng MRT station with Li by her side.
The pair returned to Jellicoe Road, where they met Liang and a third accomplice, Zhu Mian Fang (transliterated), who posed as the doctor's granddaughter.
Zhu told the victim she too had been cured of a similar curse.
She instructed the victim to place all her cash and jewelry into a brown reusable bag for the ritual. She was then handed an identical bag and told not to open it until midnight - and to keep the ritual secret.
When the victim returned home and shared the story with her children, her daughter opened the bag - only to find plastic bags and drinks inside.
Gone were the real contents: $44,000 in cash, three gold bracelets, two gold rings, two pairs of earrings, a Rolex watch, and a bracelet worth $350.
Court proceedings against the accomplices are ongoing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Trump may travel to China to meet Xi in ‘not-too-distant future'
Find out what's new on ST website and app. US President Donald Trump (centre) was speaking on July 22, during a White House meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (left). WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said on July 22 that he may visit China soon for a landmark trip to address simmering trade and security tensions between the superpower rivals. 'President Xi has invited me to China, and we'll probably be doing that in the not-too-distant future,' Mr Trump told reporters in the White House's Oval Office. 'A little bit out, but not too distant. And I've been invited by a lot of people, and we'll make those decisions pretty soon.' Mr Trump and Mr Xi's aides have discussed a potential meeting between the leaders during a trip by the US president to Asia later this year, Reuters has reported, citing two people familiar with the plans. While plans for a meeting have not been finalised, discussions on both sides of the Pacific have included a possible Trump stopover around the time of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea or talks on the sidelines of the Oct 30-Nov 1 event, the people said. Another possible trip would be for a Sept 3 Beijing ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which Russian President Vladimir Putin also plans to attend. Meetings between Mr Trump and Mr Xi or Mr Putin would be the first face-to-face encounters between the men since Mr Trump's inauguration on Jan 20 for his second term in office. The White House and the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry have declined to comment on the Reuters report. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue between leaders Asia Malaysia govt's reform pledge tested as DAP chief bows over unresolved 2009 death of political aide Tech Singapore to increase pool of early adopters in AI to complement data scientists, engineers Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving Global rivals Mr Trump made the comment about meeting Mr Xi during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, a key Pacific ally who Mr Trump said he had nudged away from China. 'The country was maybe tilting toward China for a period of time, but we un-tilted it very, very quickly,' Mr Trump said. Mr Trump added: 'I don't mind if he gets along with China because we're getting along with China very well.' Mr Marcos, who took office in 2022, has for years sought US support as his country's maritime disputes worsen with China. Manila has sought to avoid direct confrontation with its larger neighbour, which claims most of the South China Sea as its own territory. The US and the Philippines have a seven-decade-old collective defence treaty, potentially implicating Washington in a clash between China and the Philippines. Washington sees Beijing as its key strategic rival globally. Upon taking office, Mr Trump launched a tit-for-tat tariff war with China that has upended global trade and supply chains. Other points of friction between the countries include China's support for Russia, the illicit opioid trade, China's growing pressure on Taiwan and exit bans on some American residents. In recent weeks, Mr Trump has sought to lower tensions, describing his personal relations with Mr Xi as healthy. A 2019 photo shows US President Donald Trump meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping at a G-20 leaders summit in Japan. PHOTO: REUTERS Mr Trump has sought to impose tariffs on virtually all foreign goods, including both China and US allies in Asia like the Philippines. He says this will stimulate domestic manufacturing, but critics say many consumer goods will become more expensive for Americans. The president has called for a universal base tariff rate of 10 per cent on goods imported from all countries, with higher rates for some. Imports from China have the highest tariff rate of 55 per cent. Mr Trump has set a deadline of Aug 12 for the US and China to reach a durable tariff agreement. REUTERS
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
EU leaders brace for frosty China summit as trade frictions bite
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: EU and Chinese flags are seen in this illustration taken, March 20, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo BEIJING - Expectations are rock-bottom for an EU-China summit on Thursday that will test European resolve and unity as the bloc faces intense trade pressure from both Beijing and the United States, analysts say. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa plan to press Chinese leaders on rare earths and the war in Ukraine, both areas of tension, during the summit in Beijing. There is little hope for headway, at a time both sides face major challenges sustaining economic growth and Europe struggles to shore up support for Ukraine. The summit was shortened from two days to one due to a "scheduling conflict" raised by Chinese officials, two sources familiar with the planning told Reuters. A business roundtable that was meant to happen on the second day in the city of Hefei will now take place in Beijing, one of the sources said. Both sides may reach a modest joint statement on climate, one of the sources said, but no other tangible achievements are expected. In multiple recent speeches, von der Leyen has revived hawkish China rhetoric, accusing China on July 8 of "enabling Russia's war economy" and flooding global markets with overcapacity. "We know that we don't see eye to eye with China on many issues, but we believe that it is essential to have this kind of very direct and open and constructive conversation," said one EU official. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue between leaders Asia Malaysia govt's reform pledge tested as DAP chief bows over unresolved 2009 death of political aide Tech Singapore to increase pool of early adopters in AI to complement data scientists, engineers Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving The official and the sources declined to be identified as they were not authorised to speak to media. A spokesperson for the European Commission referred to a statement announcing the summit, which said leaders would discuss ways of ensuring "a more balanced, reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade relationship". In response to Reuters' questions, the Chinese foreign ministry referred to a spokesperson's statement on Monday. "Some people in Europe continue to ... exaggerate specific economic and trade issues and make groundless accusations against China on the Ukraine issue, causing unnecessary interference to China-EU relations," its spokesperson said. RISING TENSIONS The 27-member European Union has also been negotiating hard with Washington after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened 30% tariffs on most EU exports from Aug. 1, with prospects for a broader trade deal fading. At the Beijing summit, China hopes to press the EU for a solution to its tariffs on China-built electric vehicles, for which Beijing claims price commitment negotiations are in the "final stages". But European officials say there has been little progress for months. Last week, China threatened to respond to EU sanctions on two Chinese banks and five firms over the Ukraine war. Its commerce ministry said on Monday the sanctions "seriously harmed trade, economic and financial ties". Other trade disputes are simmering in the background. China retaliated against EU restrictions on medical device procurement with its own curbs on July 6, and slapped duties on French cognac producers. China's exports to the EU grew in May while its U.S. exports plunged 34.5% in value terms the same month, sparking fears Chinese trade overcapacity is being diverted to the bloc due to U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. There is also a growing sense that EU firms are collateral damage for China's rare earth export controls that primarily targeted Washington but have disrupted European defence and automotive supply chains. In return for concessions on rare earths, China's asks could include reviving a long-stalled investment agreement after Beijing lifted sanctions on European Parliament members in May, and pushing back on U.S. export curbs on Dutch firm ASML's chipmaking equipment. China has raised both in the weeks leading up to the summit, two sources familiar with the matter said. 'GLOVES OFF' "The mood is extremely pessimistic in Europe regarding the summit," said Mathieu Duchatel, a director at the Institut Montaigne think tank in Paris, adding that Washington rejected previous EU proposals for coordination on China policy. "There is a sense that the gloves are completely off on the Chinese side ... They sense the transatlantic relationship has weakened and are trying to seize the opportunity." Diplomats and analysts also say that China is growing increasingly frustrated behind closed doors with European officials' repeated insistence on the war in Ukraine, which Beijing views as an obstacle in the relationship. There is little space for constructive dialogue on this, another EU official admitted, with Chinese counterparts denying evidence of Chinese firms' involvement in supplying dual-use goods to Russia. Meanwhile, China believes Europe will cave in to U.S. tariff pressure, said a diplomat familiar with Chinese official thinking. Beijing succeeded in getting Trump to lower crushing 145% tariffs during talks in May and scored a further win when Washington agreed to resume Nvidia H20 AI chip exports, leaving it in a relatively strong position. "This will be the latest in a long list of EU-China summits that have delivered next to nothing," said Noah Barkin, senior advisor at Rhodium Group's China practice. "It is a sign that the economic and security problems in the relationship have become so deep-seated as to be irreconcilable." REUTERS
Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Straits Times
US government employee stopped from leaving China, US says
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The man was reportedly a Chinese American employee of the US Patent and Trademark Office. WASHINGTON - An employee of the US government was prevented from leaving China while on a personal trip, the State Department said on July 22, renewing an issue that has divided the two powers. 'We can confirm that a US Patent and Trademark Office employee, while travelling to China in a personal capacity, was made subject to an exit ban in China,' a State Department spokesperson said. 'We are tracking this case very closely and are engaged with Chinese officials to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.' Beijing declined to discuss the case in detail. Foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters, 'China is a country under the rule of law, and it handles entry and exit affairs in accordance with the law.' The Washington Post, citing unnamed sources, said the man was a Chinese American who was visiting family and was stopped for not disclosing his work for the US government on his visa application. In the final months of former president Joe Biden's term, China freed three jailed Americans in a swop. The United States in turn agreed to loosen its travel warning for China, encouraging Americans to 'exercise caution' rather than discouraging travel. While the Biden administration hailed its efforts to free detained US citizens, advocates say other Americans, generally dual nationals, are subject to exit bans on leaving China. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue between leaders Asia Malaysia govt's reform pledge tested as DAP chief bows over unresolved 2009 death of political aide Singapore Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving The US earlier this month said it had arrested two Chinese nationals who allegedly sought to recruit US Navy servicepeople as intelligence assets. President Donald Trump has described China as the top adversary of the United States but has also spoken fondly of his relationship with counterpart Xi Jinping. AFP
