Bail reduced for two involved in Sim Lim cheating cases
Two men involved in a series of cheating offences at a now defunct shop in Sim Lim Square have been offered a reduced bail. Photo: Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE — Two men involved in a series of cheating offences at a now-defunct mobile services shop at Sim Lim square were offered a reduced bail amount this afternoon (June 3).
Koh Guan Seng, 38, and Kam Kok Keong, 31, both ex-employees of Mobile Air, face 15 and eight charges, respectively, for abetment by conspiracy to cheat and dishonestly induce delivery of property. They had their bail amounts reduced from S$30,000 to S$20,000. District Judge Eddy Tham also allowed Kam’s prospective bailor to pledge S$10,000 of the total bail amount without forking out cash.
However, both men, who appeared in court via a video link, said that they will still not be able to raise the required amounts. The men, who have indicated that they intend to plead guilty, had asked to be bailed out with just their bailors’ identity cards pledged as surety.
Koh, a divorcee, said he wants to see his four-year-old son before serving his sentence. “My family has tried their very best to raise funds...Hope to see my son before I come back and serve sentence. my ex-wife will never bring my son to see me in prison,” said Koh, who has a string of past convictions in relation to drugs, disorderly behaviour and theft.
Speaking to TODAY after the court hearing, Koh’s mother said she had only managed to raise S$10,000. “He really wants to see his son...we have tried so hard to borrow money. It’s such a heartache,” she said tearfully in Mandarin. The restaurant helper said she earns S$800 a month. She was accompanied by her daughter and Koh’s girlfriend in court today.
Kam pleaded for a chance to see his parents before serving his sentence. “I come from a low-income family and both parents are old, living in rented flat, they can’t raise the money...I admit my mistake and just want to spend time and pass money to my parents. I promise to attend court and won’t run away or anything,” he said.
Both men will return to court with two other co-accused on June 19, when they are expected to plead guilty.
The fifth co-accused, Mobile Air owner Jover Chew, who faces the most number of charges will return to court on June 25. He has been charged with 24 counts of abatement by conspiracy to cheat and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, one count of criminal intimidation and one count of cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property. He has not indicated if he would claim trial.
The five were hauled to court last Friday (May 29) for allegedly swindling 25 victims of some S$14,449 between December 2013 and October last year.
Mobile Air gained notoriety last November after a video of Vietnamese tourist Pham Van Thoai tearfully begging on his knees for a refund from the shop went viral. He had paid S$950 for an iPhone 6, but was told to add in S$1,500 in warranty fees.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said that Jover Chew has claimed trial. This is incorrect. He has not indicated if he would claim trial. We apologise for the error.
