Man, 68, loses over $10,000 in honey trap scam
A 68-year-old man lost over $10,000 after falling for a honey trap scam, where he paid deposits, medical expenses, guarantee fees, and even an "apology fee" in hopes of meeting a Chinese woman in Singapore.
The man, who only wished to be known as Mr Huang, told Shin Min Daily News that he met the woman named Li Xin in August.
She first added him on Facebook before moving their conversations to WhatsApp where they chatted about daily life and work. A week later, she claimed she wanted to visit Singapore to meet him and "have fun together".
However, she told Mr Huang that she had previously broken the law in Singapore and was restricted from entering, and needed to apply for special approval first.
Eager to see her, he agreed to pay a deposit and processing fee for her exit permit after receiving a call from a man claiming to be a Chinese government official, who called himself Section Chief Wang.
Within a week, Mr Huang transferred several payments to the designated account, but Li Xin never showed up.
"She told me she was stopped at customs for carrying too much jewellery, so she couldn't board the flight to Singapore," he recalled.
Li Xin repeated the ploy a few days later, insisting she was sincere about meeting him. Mr Huang went on to transfer thousands more for her application fees.
However, Li Xin later told him that although her flight had landed in Singapore, she was detained by customs for carrying too much cash, sending him photos of an airport and airplane cabin as proof.
Believing her story, Huang transferred another $1,000 to her.
Paid $600 'apology fee'
Shortly after, Li Xin claimed she had been in a car accident on the way to meet him and was hospitalised. When Mr Huang asked to visit her, she refused to reveal her location.
He began questioning her story, which angered her, and she demanded $600 for medical fees and another $600 as an "apology fee" before she would agree to meet him. Mr Huang complied.
When the time came to meet, Li Xin excused herself again, claiming she was stuck in traffic. The next day, she said she was in Malaysia and would only meet him once she returned.
By then, Mr Huang realised he had been duped, but had lost over $10,000.
Police have confirmed that a report was lodged and investigations are ongoing.
