Last Updated on 2019-05-16 , 4:49 pm
With 80% of Singaporeans living in Housing Development Board (HDB) apartment buildings, it’s natural to have regular maintenance and checks from time to time all over the island.
In fact, it’s so common that this man allegedly decided to take advantage of this fact to try and con people of a little cash.
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“Patchwork on an old ceiling”
On Saturday 23 March 2019, 72-year-old Facebook user, Mr Isninhan Low Chong Bak, posted on Facebook warning people of a “hustler” trying to con people.
He shared his story:
An alleged conman, pretending to be an HDB-approved contractor, came to Mr Low’s house, announcing that he would be coming over the next day to do patchwork on an old ceiling.
He wore a fake HDB Calling Card around his neck, which he used as ‘proof’ to show that his position was genuine.
Suspecting that something was amiss, Mr Low politely declined the man’s offer, even thanking him.
However, the man did not give up.
The man headed over to his 76-year-old neighbour’s house, where he managed to talk for 15 minutes.
The neighbour, unsure of whether to believe the man, came over to Mr Low, asking for his advice. He was followed closely by the man.
Mr Low advised his neighbour to verify the man’s position with the authorities before agreeing to his offer.
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This made the man get really mad.
I mean, of course.
Who would want to get interrupted and possibly hindered when you’re in the middle of trying to trick someone? I know I wouldn’t.
That’s When the Abuse StartedÂ
The conman raised his voice at Mr Low, warning him not to get involved.
He started cursing as well, threatening all sorts of vulgarities.
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When Mr Low raised his voice back, the conman spat in his face.
The man then left, taking the lift to the ground floor.
But that’s not all.
Angered, Mr Low raced down the staircase to meet him at the ground floor to confront the conman just as he was leaving the lift.
The conman punched 72-year-old Mr Low hard, causing him to land on his bottom on the stairs.
Luckily, there was still fight in him.
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Low jumped back onto his feet and punched the man at the back of his head.
He says:
“He was taken aback and turned towards me, which gave me an opportunity to give a flying kick that landed on his stomach. I followed with a left punch to his chin.”
The incident left Mr Low with abrasions and bruises.
His neighbour, who had followed him down the stairs, helped to call the police while Mr Low tried to restrain the man from leaving.
However, by the time the police came, the man had fled the scene.
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Netizens’ Response
Facebook commenters both applauded Mr Low for his bravery and shared similar incidents.
This is not an isolated incident
Conmen pretending to be door-to-door contractors prowling HDB estates is so common that the HDB has an entire page on their website dedicated to this problem.
The page can be viewed here, where they issue cautionary advice against such people.
Stay vigilant, people.
And, if an ‘HBD-approved contractor’ starts to verbally and physically abuse you, you can be sure that he definitely isn’t the real deal.
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