Man charged after allegedly staging his own kidnapping to recoup gambling debts
The 33-year-old supposedly sent threatening text messages to his aunt in China and asked for a ransom of 30,000 yuan for his release.
A composite of Marina Bay Sands and a screenshot of the WeChat text messages sent to Liu Changjian's aunt. (Images: AFP, Singapore Police Force)
SINGAPORE: A 33-year-old man who allegedly faked his own kidnapping to recoup his gambling debts was charged in court on Monday (Mar 11) with attempting to cheat his aunt.
Liu Changjian, a Chinese national, is accused of trying to trick Madam Liu Ya Bo into paying a ransom of 30,000 yuan (US$4,170) for his release.
He had sent threatening messages to his aunt last week while pretending to be his captor, the police said in a news release.
Liu was at the Marina Bay Sands Casino on Mar 7 and Mar 8 when he put his plan in motion, according to court documents.
He pleaded not guilty and will next appear in court for a pre-trial conference on Mar 25.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Liu entered Singapore on Mar 1 as a tourist. He was supposed to return to China on Mar 6 but did not do so, the police said.
His aunt, who was in China, then received text messages through WeChat from an unknown person seeking a ransom of 30,000 yuan for Liu’s release. This person forwarded a photo of Liu’s travel document as proof.
When she alerted Liu’s father to the matter, the older man – who was also in China – called the Singapore Police Force (SPF) for help on the evening of Mar 9.
Officers from the Central Police Division conducted "extensive searches and investigations" to locate Liu, said SPF.
They found him "safe and sound" in the Marina Bay area within three hours of receiving the call for assistance.
Further investigations revealed that he had gambling debts of between S$20,000 and S$30,000, the police said.
He then staged his kidnapping and sent threatening messages to his aunt in hopes of receiving the ransom. However, it was not paid to him or anyone else.
His mobile devices were seized in connection to the case.
If convicted of attempted cheating, he could be jailed for up to 10 years or fined, or punished with both.
SPF added that it “takes a serious view against any person who may be involved in scams, whether knowingly or unwittingly”.
The police advised members of the public to take precautions when they receive unsolicited calls, especially from unknown parties with “+” prefix phone numbers that originate from abroad.
These precautions also involve ignoring such calls and the caller’s instructions, not transferring any funds if the caller is of dubious identity, and calling a trusted friend or relative before acting.
