Indian-Origin Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Singapore for S$268,000 Carousell Scam
A 31-year-old Indian-origin man in Singapore has been handed a two-year prison sentence for orchestrating a sophisticated scam that defrauded a 25-year-old woman of over S$268,000 (approximately Rs 1.6 crore) over a seven-month period. The man, identified as Thevendran, exploited the victim's trust after meeting her on the popular e-commerce platform Carousell, using the proceeds to fuel his gambling addiction.
Deceptive Friendship and False Pretenses
Thevendran cultivated a false sense of friendship with the victim, repeatedly soliciting money under various fabricated circumstances. He claimed to need funds for a court case, bail payments, dental bills, and other urgent expenses. In reality, these requests were a cover for his gambling habit, as reported by local media outlet Mothership. The scam began on July 24, 2021, when Thevendran posted a listing on Carousell for a PlayStation 4 console.
The victim initially paid a S$150 deposit for delivery within seven days, followed by an additional S$49 transfer for games. The PS4 was never delivered, marking the start of a prolonged deception. Following this initial transaction, Thevendran continued communicating with the woman via Carousell and WhatsApp, building rapport to facilitate further fraud.
Systematic Financial Exploitation
Between August 17, 2021, and January 9, 2022, Thevendran deceived the victim into sending money on 57 separate occasions. On multiple instances, she transferred sums as high as S$10,000 at his request. Thevendran was aware from August 18, 2021, that the money originated from the woman's insurance and Central Provident Fund (CPF) payouts following her mother's death, exploiting her vulnerable financial situation.
By December 2021, he knew she had exhausted her funds, yet he persisted in demanding more money. He later returned a total of S$5,000 on three occasions, a minimal fraction of the total taken. The scam unraveled when the victim transferred S$26,000 from her father's bank account without authorization, prompting a police investigation.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
In total, Thevendran cheated the victim of roughly S$268,520. During sentencing, Deputy Public Prosecutor Suriya Prakash emphasized that Thevendran continued his actions despite knowing the victim had no money left. The defense lawyer argued that Thevendran recognized the severity of his actions, had undergone counseling, and had not committed any offences in the past four years.
District Judge Janet Wang highlighted the significant psychological harm and financial loss suffered by the victim. She noted that Thevendran had voluntarily agreed to repay S$104,000, approximately 40% of the total sum, as a mitigating factor. Thevendran had previously pleaded guilty to one count of cheating in an earlier court hearing.
This case underscores the risks associated with online transactions and the importance of vigilance on digital platforms. It also reflects the legal consequences for financial fraud in Singapore, where authorities take a strong stance against such crimes.
