Daily Lessons from Life 10 March 2014 - Two arrested for cheating elderly victims

"Two arrested for cheating elderly victims - CNA 10 March 2014

SINGAPORE: Police have arrested two Chinese nationals suspected of cheating two elderly victims.

The incidents took place in Chinatown between November and December last year.

Police say the suspects, a 46-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman, conned the victims into parting with their life savings amounting to S$420,000 and jewellery worth some S$37,000.

The suspects would tell the victims that one of their children was sick, and they needed to get a medium to conduct prayers to cure the children.

The victims were convinced to bring their valuables to a prayer session to ward off evil spirits.

During the session, the elderly were told to place the valuables in a bag and close their eyes.

Thereafter, the bags were returned to them and they were told to meet again on another day.

When the victims returned home, they realised the money and jewellery had been replaced with newspapers and water bottles.

The suspects were arrested at Changi Airport on Sunday.

They will be charged in court on Tuesday on counts of cheating with conspiracy.

If found guilty, they could face imprisonment of up to 10 years and fined."

Crime does not pay. Cheating old people for me simply multiply the intolerance I have for such crime.

Lessons for me are:

1. if you must cheat to save your life with money, leave the elderly folks alone. It is just plain wrong to try to cheat old people. What more their life saving! Shame on these 2 persons!;

2. it is wonderful that they were arrested at the Changi Airport before they make away! Once they are out of the country, it would be very much more difficult to get them. Hopefully the stolen money and goods are in tact and to be returned to the elderly victims! Soon!!;

3. kudos to the Singapore Police Force, who had lately been given a few slaps around and black-eyes due to the Little India Riot, the Woodland Check-out incidents (even when the SPF are not directly involved but people mixed them up with Immigration Officers!), for getting the culprits so quickly!

With the Chinese newspapers reporting this particular case, hopefully MORE elderly folks are alerted and be on their guards against heartless, merciless and shameless cheats from getting their dirty hands on the elderly's life saving!!

Peace on earth. Let the elderly live happily ever after. Can?