Accused, 19, who plotted to steal $32k from teen in crypto scam pleads guilty to attempted robbery with hurt
Teo Yan Ting
TNP
July 10, 2025
A teenager who conspired with an online acquaintance to rob another teen using a fake cryptocurrency deal as bait pleaded guilty to attempted robbery with hurt on July 9.
Bai Chunjie, 19, plotted to lure a victim into bringing $32,000 in cash to a meeting under the pretext of purchasing Tether, a type of cryptocurrency.
The scam was aborted after Bai spotted a police car in the area and backed out, but his accomplices went ahead with the attempted robbery.
Shin Min Daily News had earlier reported that last September, Mr Zheng, who was 19 at the time, brought cash to Hougang Green Shopping Mall for a crypto transaction, but was attacked by several men who tried to snatch his wallet.
He managed to escape and later called the police.
The suspects include Benedict Yee Hong Fai, 30, Mohamad Ihan (transliterated), 21, and Syazafirul (transliterated), 19. Bai will be sentenced at a later date.
According to court documents, Bai met Yee on Telegram through a mutual friend. The two hatched a plan to rob a buyer by pretending to sell him cryptocurrency.
Bai later connected with Mr Zheng via a cryptocurrency trading group and offered to sell him $30,000 worth of Tether. The pair eventually agreed to meet at Hougang Green Shopping Mall at about 6pm on Aug 29, 2024.
On the day of the meeting, Bai and Yee roped in Mohamed and Syazafirul to confront the victim, telling them only that the victim had "done something wrong" and needed to be "taught a lesson". They were not told of the robbery plan.
When Bai saw a police car in the area, he backed out and said he no longer wished to be involved. He later observed the meeting from a nearby bus stop.
According to court documents, Mr Zheng was assaulted by Mohamed and Syazafirul. Syazafirul punched him and tackled him to the ground, while Ihan held onto his legs. Yee then tried to grab the victim's sling bag, which contained $32,000 in cash.
Mr Zheng managed to struggle free and fled the scene in a private-hire car.
If convicted, Bai may face a jail term of between five and 20 years, and at least 12 strokes of the cane.
