Latest news with #Anne
CNA
8 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
Police investigating alleged S$500,000 construction equipment scam after 3 firms duped
SINGAPORE: Three firms have made police reports against a consultancy company over an alleged construction equipment scam, after rented machines worth about S$500,000 (US$392,000) went missing in recent months. The affected rental companies told CNA they did not receive payment from the firm, Revivify, which also turned out to have a bogus company address. Investigations are ongoing, said the Singapore Police Force in response to CNA's queries. 'RAISED MY SUSPICIONS' One construction equipment firm, New Town Engineering, said a representative from Revivify first reached out to them in May to ask about renting two excavators. The man paid for a month's rental in June. When New Town asked if he wanted to extend the lease, he agreed but requested a grace period to make payment, which New Town accepted. 'However, when we visited his office, we were actually told that there's no such company at this address,' said a New Town employee who only wanted to be known as Anne. She added that they were not the first ones to show up at Revivify's registered office at International Plaza. 'This raised my suspicions and I tried to (find out) where my excavators were. But the customer self-collected and delivered to his own site so we did not have details of the address,' she said. 'We didn't want to alert him that we knew it might be a scam, so we contacted him and asked for the location of the excavators, which he did give. But unfortunately, there is no such address.' Revivify was registered as a company in 2021 for port and maritime related consultancy services. When CNA visited its registered address, the office was occupied by another company. Revivify did not respond to CNA's attempts to contact them. According to New Town's police report, the firm eventually tracked one of its excavators down to a work site at 29 Penjuru Lane. After roughly 10 hours of administrative tussle involving the police, New Town was able to reclaim its excavator. But the company could not locate its other machine or contact Revivify. Anne said their losses came up to around S$55,000 to S$60,000. She added that when she made enquiries within the industry, she realised another company – Cherly Equipment Service – had lost four excavators worth a total of S$240,000 to the same alleged scammer. Cherly's CEO and managing director Tang Siang Hong said three of the machines belonged to his firm, while one was owned by a friend. ASKED FOR SPECIAL EQUIPMENT Revivify also approached a third company, Multi Ways Equipment, to rent welding machines and wheel loaders. The latter are used at construction sites to move or load materials like soil or rock. 'They seemed to know the industry well because they requested special equipment to be installed on the wheel loader, things like cameras, sensors, to accommodate the safety on site. Hence, we went on with the deal,' said a Multi Ways employee who only wanted to be known as Derrick. He said the Revivify representative initially wanted the machines delivered to Seletar North for a project, but changed the site to 29 Penjuru Lane in late May when the equipment was ready. Derrick allowed Revivify to inspect the machines there. But when he asked when they would be sent to Seletar North, he did not receive a clear response. 'So, I went down on Jun 10 to … have a look. When I reached there, it looked like just bare land, like a dumping ground,' he added. Derrick found just one of the wheel loaders there. Three others worth about US$200,000 remain missing and may not be in Singapore anymore, he said. The company received a letter from Revivify after it tried to retrieve its equipment. The letter was signed off purportedly by Revivify's in-house legal team, claiming Multi Ways had breached the deal. Multi Ways did not hear back from Revivify after that. Moving forward, Derrick said he will be placing trackers on its equipment and conducting more background checks on hirers. "As a rental company, every (piece of) equipment is a stream of income … so when this machine is immediately lost, this is loss of income for the company,' he lamented. 'There are many people that suffer (from this). It's not good for business and it makes us very wary of our next few clients.'
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Real reason Princess Anne ‘criticised' by United States media for not being ‘fairytale' princess
Princess Anne was 'not received well' when she visited the United States for the first time in 1970, being accused of looking 'sulky' and even nicknamed 'Princess Sourpuss' While she might be considered one of the most popular members of the Royal Family now, Princess Ann e was once subject to vicious barbs from the US media. The Princess Royal made her first official visit to the US in 1970 when she joined her older brother in Washington. Anne and the-then Prince Charles spent two days touring around the capital and meeting President Richard Nixon. Anne however was 'not very well received' by the American media at the time. She was branded 'sulky' and during one sharp exchange with a journalist replied with 'I don't do interviews' when asked what she thought about the Washington Monument. Reports at the time suggested Anne could have been 'tired', having previously spent 10 days touring Canada. On Channel 5's Princess Anne: A Quite Remarkable Royal, journalist Victoria Murphy explains that the US press were quick to highlight that Anne should have 'smiled more'. She said: 'One of the first trips that she did officially was to go with Prince Charles to the US in 1970. 'This trip was actually quite challenging because she got some negative press as a result of this trip from the US media. They were quite quick to pick up on the fact that she wasn't smiling very often. They thought that she didn't look like she was enjoying herself as much as they thought she might.' Royal commentator Wesley Kerr however believes it was Anne's natural expression that led Americans to believe she wasn't looking happy. He said: 'Her resting expression isn't smiling and happiness so I think there was some criticism from the US press that she wasn't a fairytale princess, that she was perhaps a bit surly.' In 2021, commentator Penny Junor told that many journalists in the States felt as though Anne looked 'sulky' during her US tour. It led Anne to being nicknamed 'Princess Sourpuss' by Americans. Junor said: 'She went to the White House to visit Nixon when he was President and there was a lot of negative press because she seemed to be so sulky. 'She looked at the time as though she didn't want to be there, they said. She refused to answer anyone's questions, snappily saying 'I don't give interviews'. Anne and Charles arrived in Washington on July 18, 1970 as part of a semi-official visit. They were hosted by President Nixon's two daughters, Julie and Tricia Nixon and the President's son-in-law, David Eisenhower. At the time of the visit 19-year-old Anne had only recently taken on royal responsibilities. The stay saw the royals visiting the Lincoln Memorial, Mount Vernon and the Smithsonian Institution's Space Museum. They attended a barbecue at Camp David and a Washington Senators baseball game. On the final evening, the Nixons hosted a dinner and a party at the White House, which was attended by over 700 guests.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Cybercrooks keep two Bengaluru women under digital arrest, make them strip
Bengaluru: In a chilling reminder of how far cybercriminals will go, two women were digitally held hostage and forced to strip by fake cops in a digital arrest scam . The criminals had ordered the women to disrobe as part of an online "physical examination" to identify birth marks and moles. The women, who are childhood friends, realised they were victims of online fraud and extortion only when they reached out to another friend after being held hostage by the cybercriminals for nearly nine hours, despite having transferred Rs 58,447 to them. A complaint has been lodged with the East CEN Crime police. While Anne (name changed) is a resident of the city, her friend Richa, who works in Thailand as an instructor, was on a visit to Bengaluru when the duo got trapped in a web of deception. Their ordeal started at 11am on July 17 when Richa received a call from the number 8856062795. The caller introduced himself as a police officer from Colaba police station in Mumbai and accused her of being involved in money laundering linked to Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal. He also accused her of being involved in human trafficking and a murder case. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru A shocked Richa tried to explain she was on a visit to India and had no connection to the case. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It? NeuroVita Global Learn More Undo The caller, however, shared details of a debit card she was using and managed to scare her of arrest. Spooked on being furnished with her personal debit card details and official-looking documents, including forged arrest warrants and Central Bureau of Investigation ID cards, Anne also was convinced and fell prey to the ruse. While more fraudsters joined in, the women were made to believe the call was being made from a police station. To further deceive the women, the fraudsters made a video call claiming to connect them to officers from CBI. The crooks told the women they had to be kept under digital arrest at home, and had to stay on a WhatsApp video call for 24 hours. They told the victims that according to Reserve Bank rules, the transactions done from their bank accounts needed to be verified. The women were told to transfer money to an account provided by the fraudsters, on the promise it would be returned after the verification process if the money wasn't found to be black. Richa transferred Rs 58,447 from her bank account. The fraudsters also impersonated officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and Delhi police. Online medical exam After receiving the money, the fraudsters told the victims they needed to get clearance, for which they had to undergo a medical examination online. This was to identify and ensure there were no "bullet marks, moles, or tattoos" on their bodies. The women were asked to strip naked and follow instructions, which they complied with, Anne told police, adding that she was also told that her entire house was under surveillance and an arrest warrant was issued against Richa. A senior police officer said the women had no idea that the fraudsters were recording them nude under the pretext of medical examination. When the women stripped, the miscreants also allegedly body shamed them. Helpful call to friend After suffering tremendous pressure and harassment, Richa decided to reach out to a friend for assistance. She made a WhatsApp call around 8pm, and after she explained the ordeal, the friend advised her to disconnect all the calls and not transfer any more money. After the call was disconnected, the fraudsters attempted to reach the women again and sent across their nude photos and videos, threatening to make them public. Anne told police that the photos and videos shared by the fraudsters to both their phones weren't downloaded or saved. They deleted them as they had been digitally and physically abused and under tremendous fear and shame for nine hours. A senior police officer said a case has been registered under various sections of the Information Technology Act and Section 318 (cheating) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
The Devil Wears Prada 2: Spotted — Anne Hathaway back in her Andrea Sachs era!
"Andy Sachs 2025 #dwp2". Anne Hathaway as Andrea Sachs, now and then(Photos: X) That's what Anne Hathaway captioned her first drop from the sets of The Devil Wears Prada sequel. Dressed in a casually-fitted but cinched pinstriped waist coat and trousers, the 42-year-old was gleaming and beaming. If you're wondering, this wasn't just a cute photo-op. The same fit, later in the day, made it to the streets of New York City. In the midst of what appears to be a filler shot. Anne, channeling her inner Andy, can be seen flitting across the street, hurriedly putting on a pair of sunnies as she makes it across on-coming traffic. The clip is an absolute dead ringer for the chaotic but fashion-forward montages of the original 2006 release, wherein panicked runs through New York City made up about 40 percent of the plot — and we mean that in the most flattering manner possible. Coming back to the production under way, besides the OG trio of Anne, Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt, returning to reprise their roles, the supporting cast has significantly expanded with names like Kenneth Branagh, (set to play Miranda Priestly's husband), Lucy Liu, Justin Theroux, B.J. Novak and Pauline Chalamet having come on board, albeit in undisclosed roles (save for Kenneth's). For anybody who believed just the sheer hype for The Devil Wears Prada sequel would make it a hush-hush affair with any leaks being cleaned up from the internet before they're circulated, just know that Anne seems to be in full fangirl mode, already having updated fans, twice (!) since filming commenced. Just a little while back, dressed in a motley mosaic maxi dress with a crochet bucket hat, she cool-ly sauntered in front of a giant '2' and struck a pose. As we wait for the sequel's May Day release next year, the OG is always available for streaming on OTT for the nostalgic hits.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Is Princess Anne the secret weapon to finally heal rift between Harry, Charles and Wills?
A commemorative coin has been issued to celebrate the hard working princess' birthday ANNE'S AMMO Is Princess Anne the secret weapon to finally heal rift between Harry, Charles and Wills? PRINCESS Anne has long been hailed the hardest working royal - and could now prove vital in Harry and Charles' peace talks. It is understood that the Duke of Sussex is ready to talk with his father, the King, after a recent peace summit between their senior aides. 5 The Princess Royal has been working for more than seven decades Credit: AFP 5 In the run up to Anne's 75th birthday she has been branded 'the ultimate uncomplaining spare' Credit: Getty A working royal all of her life, Anne has been tipped by royal watchers as having a role to play in the peace-building between Harry and his family. The Princess Royal is thought to have some useful advice to offer Harry on life as a "spare" in the royal family. When Harry's notorious book released a friend of the royal family reportedly said 'He really ought to talk to Princess Anne' after the novel revealed Harry's issues with his brother William. It comes as the feud between the Duke of Sussex and the few remaining working royals appears to be coming to an end. Meetings between the Sussex's team and senior aides to the king were held, sparking rumours that a potential reconciliation was on the table. Despite the hopeful signs, William's aides were snubbed from the meeting leading to speculation that the rift between the brothers may never be repaired. California-based Harry is next due to visit the UK in September for the annual WellChild events. It opens up the prospect of meeting his father for the first time in 18 months, though no indication of a meeting with his brother William has been given. The Princess Royal has been branded the "ultimate uncomplaining spare" in a comparison to her nephew Harry. Both the princess and the Duke have had to deal with being second to older brothers. King Charles braves the chill with Princess Anne as pair wrap up warm & greet well-wishers at Sandringham church service Royal watchers have theorised that a sit down with Anne, who has forged her own path as a dutiful and dedicated royal, could be beneficial for the Duke of Sussex as he makes an effort to repair things with his family. Now a source close to the royal family has told The Times that Anne could offer some words of wisdom to her nephew. The source said: "She often talked about how, as children, she was treated so differently from Charles. "She was second to him and kicked further down the line of succession as a woman, but she forged her own path. 5 The duke of Sussex has been feuding with his brother and father for years Credit: AFP 5 It was reported that a reconciliation between the Duke and his father the King could be in the works Credit: Getty 5 Princess Anne is theorised to have a roll to play in the reconciliation between Harry and the working royals Credit: AP "In her twenties she was bolshy and upset about a lot of things, but she came through that. "He should talk to her about her experiences. She is shrewd. She could tell him a lot about what she went through.' Anne reportedly doesn't plan to retire until her tenth decade, following in Prince Phillip's footsteps. A dutiful and hard working member of the royal family, Anne overcame an injury just last year and returned to her duties just a few weeks later. The Princess Royal, 74 at the time, was admitted to intensive care last June with head injuries and a concussion after reportedly being kicked in the head by a horse at her Gatacombe Park estate in Gloucestershire. She was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for tests and treatment before returning to her duties that July. Anne has been almost unstoppable for more than seven decades now, working nearly without pause. The Princess Royal has not offered her thoughts on the rift caused by Harry's departure from life as a working royal and the controversies that came with it. Sister to the king, she set to spend her birthday next month as she always does - sailing with her husband around Scotland for just ten days. After this brief period she will return to her work as a senior member of the royal family. Anne is reportedly notorious among her aides for resisting attempts to create downtime for her. Shying away from attempts to celebrate her in the run up to her 75th birthday Anne instead opted to celebrate more than 100 of the 400 charities she is a patron of. The Princess Royal hosted more than 100 of her charities at a Buckingham Palace reception last month as part of her birthday celebrations. Aside from the reception, Anne has accepted the issuing of a silver coin to commemorate the momentous occasion. Released last week the coin features the Princess Royal's face and the words "The Princess Royal. Celebrating 75 years. Duty and devotion.'
