---
title: "Man, 71, loses $21k in life savings to 4D lottery scam, now survives on instant noodles and bread"
url: "/trending-now/man-71-loses-21k-life-savings-4d-lottery-scam-now-survives-instant-noodles-and-bread"
published: "2026-10-19T09:55:40.000Z"
updated: "2026-10-19T09:57:53.000Z"
section: "Trending Now"
authors: ["Wilbur Chong"]
tags: ["4D","scam","lottery","funeral","Savings"]
---

# Man, 71, loses $21k in life savings to 4D lottery scam, now survives on instant noodles and bread

A 71-year-old man lost more than $21,000 of his savings after falling for a scam promising “guaranteed winning” 4D lottery numbers, which left him penniless.

The scam was promoted through a Facebook ad that offered to help lottery enthusiasts strike the jackpot.

Speaking to Shin Min Daily News, Yang (transliterated) said he came across the advertisement in late August and decided to dial the number provided on the post.

![4D lottery scam, lottery scam, online scam](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/stomp/f88bdbf660506200607411c3c585fde560c17a5cd3e06cd90565d7b24b294050)
*The overlayed text claims that users of their system can solve their troubles using the cash they collect.*

The call initially went unanswered, but on Sept 2, the other party called back, claiming to have internal connections within a lottery company who could predict the winning numbers for every draw.

“At the time, they told me that if I wanted to win the first prize, I had to pay $1,988. For second or third prizes, it would be $1,688 or $1,388,” Yang recalled.

When he said he did not have that much money, the scammer asked him to pay a $500 account set-up fee, followed by another $500 for five sets of lottery numbers.

On Sept 5, the scammer returned with the five sets of 4D numbers, claiming they had been purchased at $100 each under the Small bet category, with the potential to yield $300,000 in winnings.

However, none of the numbers won that night.

When confronted, the scammer claimed they were numbers “marked in red” and could not be drawn, but promised to get their internal contact to alter the ticket stubs.

“The next day, that person sent a message saying I had won the first prize, along with a photo of a $300,000 cheque,” Yang said.

## Scammer demands ‘handling fees’

After showing Yang the cheque, the scammer demanded that he fulfil his promise by transferring the remaining $1,488 over, which he did.

On Sept 9, the scammer asked for another $5,850 in “handling fees”, claiming that transferring such a large prize amount into his bank account could raise suspicions of money laundering.

Two days later, the scammer demanded another $7,840 using the same excuse.

Having received no prize money, Yang filed a police report on Sept 16.

Even after making the report, he continued to cling to the hope of receiving his winnings, transferring another $3,500 to the scammer on two occasions in October.

It was only after the scammer continued demanding for more money, and Yang read a recent Shin Min news report on similar scams that he finally realised he had been deceived.

> I transferred more than $20,000 in total and now I’m completely penniless.
>
> — Yang

He lamented: “On top of that, my cleaning contract expired last month, so I’m currently unemployed and can only afford instant noodles and bread every day.”

According to the police report, his total losses amounted to $21,688. The police confirmed that a report had been lodged and investigations are ongoing.

## Scammer hurls profanities, dares victim to report to police

After repeatedly transferring money without receiving any winnings, Yang angrily confronted the scammer.

Instead of backing down, the scammer allegedly called him and unleashed a tirade of verbal abuse, even daring him to report the matter to the police.

“The scammer called back, swore at me in Hokkien, and complained that he had helped me so much yet I was still cursing at him.

“When I said I would report it to the police, he even dared me to go ahead, saying he wasn’t afraid at all. He was extremely arrogant,” Yang recounted.

## Borrowed money from friends and moneylender to secure winnings

Desperate to receive the promised $300,000, Yang even borrowed money from friends and a licensed moneylender to pay the “handling fees”.

He said the scammer would repeatedly come up with different excuses to demand more payments, which he complied with, in the hope of securing the prize money.

After exhausting both his and his wife’s savings, he borrowed $5,000 from friends and another $2,000 from a licensed moneylender.

“That $2,000 loan is due next month, and I’ll have to see how I can pay it back when the time comes,” he said.