Foreign Student in S’pore Posed Topless, Blindfolded & Gagged for China Police Ransom Scam

Stranger: Sir, you have been found to be involved in money laundering activities

Student: Uh, how? I didn’t do anything. I’m a student. 

Stranger: Well, I have the proof right here, do you want to be arrested?

Student: Of course not. What do I have to do?

Stranger: Simple. Take an X-ray.

Student: …

Stranger: …

Student: Okay?

What would you do if you were the student in this conversation? You may think it’d be easy to sniff out a scam, but when you’re the one being targeted, fear and anxiety can often cloud your judgement.

And that’s exactly what happened to one 21-year-old student here.

Foreign Student in S’pore Posed Topless, Blindfolded & Gagged for China Police Ransom Scam

Earlier this month, a 21-year-old student in Singapore was contacted by someone who claimed to be a police officer from China. 

The ‘officer’ told the foreign student that he was under investigation for money laundering offences.

The man on the phone then arranged for the student to meet with a 33-year-old man, who booked a hotel room for the student to stay in, and passed him a phone and SIM card as well.

There, he was put in touch with a 61-year-old man, who offered the student temporary accommodation at his home.

At one point, during this “investigation”, the man on the phone told the student to pose for an “X-ray” on his phone while in conversation with the man.

He was instructed to remove his shirt, as well as gag and blindfold himself, and the student complied.

Unbeknownst to the student, the “officer” he was speaking to was actually a scammer, who had made him a part of his scheme.

After the “X-ray” was taken, the scammer sent the image of the blindfolded and gagged student to his parents in China, and demanded a ransom of 6 million yuan (S$1.2 million).

Parents Made Police Report After Student Stopped Contacting Them

The parents didn’t pay up, however.

When the scammer contacted the student, he instructed him to cease all contact with his friends and family.

As a result of the sudden stoppage of contact, his parents in China made a police report on 16 May, four days before receiving the ransom.

Once the police were notified, they managed to find the student unharmed at the 61-year-old’s place of residence.

They believe that the 33-year-old – who received $1,000 from the scammer – and the 61-year-old, are both victims of the scam themselves.

Both men are currently being investigated.

Believed Scammer Because They Had His Personal Information

The student explained that he believed the scammer’s claims because they had some of his personal information.

“I’ve heard some of my friends have had similar experiences, but I never thought it would happen to me,” he said.

Fortunately, the student was not physically harmed during the ruse. Nevertheless, he warned other foreign students studying in Singapore to be wary of such schemes.

Overseas Law Enforcement Agencies Have No Jurisdiction To Conduct Operations in Singapore

Now, if you receive a call from someone abroad telling you you’re being investigated for a crime, you’re bound to panic.

However, overseas law enforcement agencies have no power or jurisdiction to conduct operations in Singapore, according to Superintendent of Police Steven Tan, head of the anti-scam investigation at the Commercial Affairs Department.

So, if you receive an unsolicited call and are in doubt, just hang up, and contact the police.

Featured Image: Minerva Studio/ Shutterstock.com