Daily Lessons from Life 06 September 2013 - Man cheated elderly victims by claiming to be from charity

"Man cheated elderly victims by claiming to be from charity - AsiaOne Sep 06, 2013 SINGAPORE - Police have arrested a 55-year-old man in connection with several cases of cheating island-wide involving elderly victims. From April to August 2013, four cases of cheating were reported by elderly victims involving a male suspect who claimed to be a representative from a charitable or community organisation. The suspect offered to obtain monetary assistance on behalf of the victims in return for an upfront payment. However, after receiving the upfront payment, the suspect became uncontactable. Through enquiries, police officers managed to establish the identity of the suspect. He was arrested at Ang Mo Kio Ave 10 on Sept 5, 2013 at about 8.30am. The suspect will be charged in court on Sept 7 for the offence of cheating under Sec 420 of the Penal Code, Cap 224. The offence of cheating carries a punishment of imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years and a fine." What a shame. The 55-year old man obviously is educated enough to pose as a representative from a charitable or community organization that can help his elderly victims obtain government help. He probably has mis-applied his education or talent! Lessons for me are: 1. elderly people are meant to be loved and looked after by the younger generation as they have paid their due and deserve their rest in their golden dusk years. Alas, someone has other ideas!; 2. when someone is educated, there is no telling how he or she will apply himself or herself. I am a simple man and I believe when we are educated and in a better position that the less fortunate elderly folks, we need to help them whenever we are in the position to help. It is that simple. One day we will grow old too and hopefully the younger generation of better educated and better positioned people will help us without any thought!; 3. why did the culprit resort to cheating the elderly? are the elderly to be blamed for being 'greedy' if they were tempted by the promise of being given government help for a fee? For me, cheating the elderly is wrong. Even if the elderly did not think and reason properly and even if they are a bit 'greedy', the 'greediness' was planted by the cheats. The cheats should take full responsibility! May the cheat, if proven so at in court, get his just dessert!