'Fortune teller' goes missing after woman transfers him more than $30,000
A woman who transferred more than $30,000 to a Malaysian fortune-teller she met online has made a police report after she was subsequently unable to contact the man.
Ms Chen, 29, told Shin Min Daily News that in February, she was feeling frustrated over her inability to save money. The administrative executive then happened to see a Xiaohongshu post from a Malaysian "master" who claimed the ability to divine an individual's fortunes.
After Ms Chen contacted him, the fortune-teller examined her horoscope and said he would help her to buy lottery tickets. He also said that he had personally won more than $270,000 in the lottery.
"Someone claiming to be the master's assistant called and asked for my zodiac sign and full name. Then the master contacted me and said he had read my fortune and found that my horoscope had a bad omen. He asked me to pay RM120 (S$36) first."
Hidden numbers in her horoscope
The "master" later told her that there were eight numbers hidden in her horoscope and asked her to buy lottery tickets based on the first four numbers on March 9.
"The master said the last four numbers of my horoscope were too vague and needed his assistant to help with the betting. As a result, the four numbers I bought that night didn't win, but the master sent me a photo and said the numbers the assistant bought had come out."
Based on the photos provided by Ms Chen, the number bought by the "master" was 1184, with a total bet amount of RM600. It had struck the second prize, said the master, 'who added that the prize money was as much as RM900,000.
The "master" then asked her to transfer him about $1,080 in order to buy lottery tickets and to cover the cost of his trip to a temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where he would make a thanksgiving offering on her behalf.
An offering on her behalf
Several days later, the "master" sent two photographs to show that he had performed the ceremony in the temple and asked her to pay him almost $1,500 for transport and accommodation.
Ms Chen added that the "master" then asked her to spend about $2,400 on dragon incense and candles, and around $2,350 to buy statues of deities for worship. He also asked for more than $6,000 to buy a brass incense burner.
The "master" then said that the negative energy in her home had caused him to vomit blood, and that he needed to spend about $5,135 on four prayer books.
Finally, he asked for another $10,630, saying it was to pay for the venue fee for enshrining the statue.
'I had my doubts'
Ms Chen said that while she had never tried fortune-telling or rituals to change her fortune before, and did not participate in religious activities on a daily basis, she had thought that these were necessary expenses.
"I actually had my doubts during the process, but the other party kept promising me a huge bonus, and I invested a lot of money, so I had no choice but to continue to believe, hoping that the other party was not deceiving me."
After losing contact with the "master" on April 15, Ms Chen realised what was going on and called the Singapore police. Shin Min attempted to contact the "master", but the number could not be dialed and texts could not be delivered.
In response to queries, the Singapore Police Force confirmed that a police report had been made and that the case was under investigation.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Paper
6 hours ago
- New Paper
'Fortune teller' goes missing after woman transfers him more than $30,000
A woman who transferred more than $30,000 to a Malaysian fortune-teller she met online has made a police report after she was subsequently unable to contact the man. Ms Chen, 29, told Shin Min Daily News that in February, she was feeling frustrated over her inability to save money. The administrative executive then happened to see a Xiaohongshu post from a Malaysian "master" who claimed the ability to divine an individual's fortunes. After Ms Chen contacted him, the fortune-teller examined her horoscope and said he would help her to buy lottery tickets. He also said that he had personally won more than $270,000 in the lottery. "Someone claiming to be the master's assistant called and asked for my zodiac sign and full name. Then the master contacted me and said he had read my fortune and found that my horoscope had a bad omen. He asked me to pay RM120 (S$36) first." Hidden numbers in her horoscope The "master" later told her that there were eight numbers hidden in her horoscope and asked her to buy lottery tickets based on the first four numbers on March 9. "The master said the last four numbers of my horoscope were too vague and needed his assistant to help with the betting. As a result, the four numbers I bought that night didn't win, but the master sent me a photo and said the numbers the assistant bought had come out." Based on the photos provided by Ms Chen, the number bought by the "master" was 1184, with a total bet amount of RM600. It had struck the second prize, said the master, 'who added that the prize money was as much as RM900,000. The "master" then asked her to transfer him about $1,080 in order to buy lottery tickets and to cover the cost of his trip to a temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where he would make a thanksgiving offering on her behalf. An offering on her behalf Several days later, the "master" sent two photographs to show that he had performed the ceremony in the temple and asked her to pay him almost $1,500 for transport and accommodation. Ms Chen added that the "master" then asked her to spend about $2,400 on dragon incense and candles, and around $2,350 to buy statues of deities for worship. He also asked for more than $6,000 to buy a brass incense burner. The "master" then said that the negative energy in her home had caused him to vomit blood, and that he needed to spend about $5,135 on four prayer books. Finally, he asked for another $10,630, saying it was to pay for the venue fee for enshrining the statue. 'I had my doubts' Ms Chen said that while she had never tried fortune-telling or rituals to change her fortune before, and did not participate in religious activities on a daily basis, she had thought that these were necessary expenses. "I actually had my doubts during the process, but the other party kept promising me a huge bonus, and I invested a lot of money, so I had no choice but to continue to believe, hoping that the other party was not deceiving me." After losing contact with the "master" on April 15, Ms Chen realised what was going on and called the Singapore police. Shin Min attempted to contact the "master", but the number could not be dialed and texts could not be delivered. In response to queries, the Singapore Police Force confirmed that a police report had been made and that the case was under investigation.
International Business Times
10 hours ago
- International Business Times
Singapore: Malaysian Woman, 46, Arrested for Smuggling Drugs Worth S$142,000 at Woodlands Checkpoint
A 46-year-old Malaysian woman was arrested for attempting to smuggle drugs in a Malaysian-registered motorcycle arriving at Singapore's Woodlands Checkpoint. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers profiled the motorcycle and sent it for further examination. Two bundles, suspected of containing controlled substances, were found hidden under the motorcycle's front fairing during the inspection. ICA said, "The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) was promptly alerted, and further checks uncovered a total of seven bundles from the same location." "The bundles were later found to contain 1,057g of cannabis and 973g of 'Ice'. The drugs seized have an estimated worth of more than S$142,000 and could potentially feed the addiction of about 700 abusers for a week," the statement added. The investigations are still ongoing. Anyone who imports or exports more than 250g of methamphetamine or 500g of cannabis from Singapore could be executed under Section 7 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973.
Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Straits Times
Jail for driver who showed no remorse for causing death of teen in ECP race: 'What she deserved'
Jail for driver who showed no remorse for causing death of teen in ECP race: 'What she deserved' Nadine Chua The Straits Times June 30, 2025 A driver who played blocking and braking games with a motorcycle and went at speeds of up to 160kmh on the expressway showed no remorse despite causing the death of the 18-year-old pillion rider on the motorcycle. When his friend said he was crazy to play with someone's life, the driver replied that the victim "deserved it" as she pushed his limits. Jarrett Tee Lee Kiat, 30, was sentenced to five years and eight months' jail on June 27 after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Ms Leann Lim Jia Le. Ms Lim, an 18-year-old student, was the pillion rider on the motorcycle when Tee swerved into it, causing Ms Lim to be flung onto the road. The collision also left the motorcycle rider, Mr Kovan Tan, 27, injured with multiple abrasions and a right-hand laceration. PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS Apart from his jail term, Tee was handed a 10-year driving ban for his offence. He was a student at the National University of Singapore at the time of the incident, as well as a part-time chef and social media influencer. On the night of Feb 23, 2024, Tee contacted a man identified in court documents as Vincent Loh via Telegram and asked if he was interested to go "grounding" with two girls. Deputy Public Prosecutor Paul Chia said "grounding" was a slang understood as the act of driving around aimlessly. Mr Loh agreed to Tee's suggestion, and the men and two 16-year-old girls met at Sembawang for supper before driving around separately in Tee's and Mr Loh's cars. Sometime during the night, Ms Lim and her boyfriend, 16, met up with the group. At one point, a 16-year-old girl and Ms Lim's boyfriend ended up with Tee in his rented Mercedes-Benz car, while Mr Tan rode his motorcycle with Ms Lim as pillion. The two vehicles travelled along the East Coast Parkway (ECP) to meet Mr Loh and another 16-year-old girl at East Coast Park. On their way there, Tee and Mr Tan raced one another with Tee's car going at speeds of up to 160kmh. Tee then sped up, overtook Mr Tan's motorcycle and began to play "blocking and braking games". Tee then told his passengers: "Do you want to see motorcycle fly?" to which Ms Lim's boyfriend pleaded with him not to. When Tee saw the motorcycle about to overtake him, he immediately swerved his car to block it. His car swiped the motorcycle, causing both Mr Tan and Ms Lim to be flung about 5m to 8m away. PHOTOS: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS Before the police or ambulance arrived, Tee called Mr Loh and said the motorcycle had collided with him. When Mr Loh asked how it happened, Tee said Mr Tan kept revving the motorcycle at him and that Ms Lim had pointed her middle finger at him so he "played with the motorcycle". Following the collision, Ms Lim was found to have suffered significant brain injury and died in hospital. Tee was arrested at the scene and lied to the police that the motorcycle was "tailgating (him) and was high-beaming (him)". He was later released on bail. After his release from police custody, Tee met up with Mr Loh, who asked if he was afraid following the incident. Tee replied "why scared", and said: "Who ask her to pissed me off? The accident (that) caused her death is what she deserved." In his submissions, DPP Chia said the facts surrounding this case set out "one of the worst examples of dangerous driving possible". "The way which the accused drove which resulted in the collision and the death of Leann was extremely dangerous. His level of culpability is on the extreme end of high," the prosecutor added. Those convicted of dangerous driving causing death can be jailed for between two and eight years, and can be disqualified from driving. Click here to contribute a story or submit it to our WhatsApp Get more of Stomp's latest updates by following us on:
