ACS alumni upset after ST highlights ex-student in Cambodia scam case
The Anglo-Chinese School Old Boys' Association (ACSOBA) has issued a terse response to a Straits Times (ST) report that linked a former ACS (Independent) student to a scam syndicate operating in Cambodia.
The police had earlier issued warrants of arrest for 27 Singaporeans and seven Malaysians believed to be part of an organised criminal group running government-official impersonation scams targeting Singapore victims.
In the ST article, the names and photos of 34 suspects were published in an infographic, with some labelled "criminal history" or "legal trouble". One, identified as Finan Siow, was captioned "former ACS (I) student".
ACSOBA said in its statement on Oct 31 that the "selective inclusion" of the school's name alongside such descriptors created an "unnecessary and unfair association" between ACS (I) and "indicators of criminal conduct".
"Although each caption may be factually accurate in isolation, the juxtaposition suggests that being a former student of ACS (I) is a noteworthy trait of comparable significance to having a criminal record," it said.
"This framing deliberately misleads readers to assume a correlation or worse, that there is prejudiced reporting by singling out the school," it said, adding that it has "caused understandable concern" among its alumni and the broader school community.
Checks on Siow's LinkedIn profile show that he attended ACS (I)'s Integrated Programme from 2014 to 2017 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme from 2018 to 2020.
An ST article said he once played for the school's rugby team and scored in a match against Raffles Institution during the 2017 National B Division finals, helping ACS (I) retain its crown. He now runs a household cleaning services business in Singapore.
Eagle-eyed netizens
Siow's link to his alma mater has not gone unnoticed by netizens, with many pointing it out in online discussions.
In a Reddit post sharing a CNA article about the wanted individuals, the most upvoted comment read: "Finan Siow was an ACS (Independent) rugby player."
One user asked how an ACS boy went from being a star athlete to a scammer in less than 10 years.
"Because of Finan-Siow difficulties," quipped a Redditor.
"The best (scam) is yet to be", said another, referencing ACS' motto, The Best Is Yet To Be.
Some drew parallels with the infamous "We are not gangsters. We are ACS boys" phrase uttered by a patron during a KTV raid in Orchard in 2024.
Over on Facebook page My Grandfather's Road, commenters also weighed in. "Times are really tough," one said.
Another remarked: "Elite needs special mention."
'Overreaction'
While some netizens questioned why only Siow's school was mentioned, others were amused by the association's response - with some saying it was natural for ST to include such a detail.
"The reason is because the person has no other characteristic that is memorable or notable apart from having attended a moderately well-known school," said one Redditor.
Added another: "They made it such a big part of their personality. Why should we not pay attention to this?"
Stomp has reached out to ACS (I) for comment.
