K
Keiji Maeda
Guest
Sep 21, 2010
Rental scam conman jailed
By Elena Chong
Tan Boon Hua, 39, was jailed for three years on Tuesday for cheating almost 30 victims of $95,430. -- PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
IN ONE of the largest rental scams to date, a man was jailed for three years on Tuesday for cheating almost 30 victims of $95,430. Tan Boon Hua, 39, had admitted to 14 charges of deceiving foreigners and a few Singaporeans of $2,100 to $5,200 between May and June this year, together with 11 others who have since been charged.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nicholas Khoo said Tan and the accomplices used a few HDB flats to deceive the victims into believing that they were available for rent and dishonestly induced them into paying rental deposit, advance rental and agent commission fees. Arrangements were made for the victims to view the flats in Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Panjang and Sengkang, among others, and sign the rental agreements.
The DPP said when the move-in date was imminent, Tan and his accomplices would give excuses and suggest cancelling the rental agreement. When the victims demanded a refund, they said they had used the money and promise to return by installments but failed to do so. Tan, who had 20 other charges taken into consideration, could have been jailed for up to 10 years and fined on each charge.
