Indian-origin man cheats Singapore woman of Rs 1.6 crore, dupes her into 57 payments claiming to buy video games - The Times of India

February 8, 2026 - 08:05

A Singaporean court has sentenced a 31-year-old Indian-origin man to two years in prison for orchestrating a sophisticated scam that defrauded a woman of approximately S$260,000 (roughly Rs 1.6 crore). The fraudulent scheme began on the popular online marketplace, Carousell, where the perpetrator initially connected with the 25-year-old victim under the guise of selling video games.

Posing as a legitimate seller, the man built a rapport with the woman before pivoting to a complex ruse. He convinced her that he was a valuable middleman for purchasing gaming credits and virtual items at discounted wholesale prices. Exploiting her trust over several months, he fabricated numerous excuses and fraudulent documents, including a forged bank transfer screenshot, to request funds.

The victim, believing the promises of profitable returns, was deceived into making a staggering 57 separate payments directly into the man's personal bank account. The elaborate charade eventually unraveled, leading to a police investigation. During proceedings, the court emphasized the premeditated and persistent nature of the crime, which involved repeated lies to sustain the deception and drain the victim's finances. The sentence reflects the serious consequences of such calculated financial fraud in Singapore.