Man allegedly scammed of $21k by 'agent' promising to help him apply for Singapore PR一名男子据称被一名承诺帮助他申请新加坡永久居民身份的“中介”骗走了2.1万美元。
He trusted an "immigration agent" to handle his Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) application and allegedly forked out $21,000 in "fees" and other charges.But when the Chinese work permit holder checked his eligibility, he realised it was a scam.The warehouse manager, surnamed Yang, told Shin Min Daily News that he has been working in Singapore for the last 20 years.Hoping to...
He trusted an "immigration agent" to handle his Singapore Permanent Resident (PR) application and allegedly forked out $21,000 in "fees" and other charges.
But when the Chinese work permit holder checked his eligibility, he realised it was a scam.
The warehouse manager, surnamed Yang, told Shin Min Daily News that he has been working in Singapore for the last 20 years.
Hoping to become a PR, the 50-year-old contacted a consultant he had found from a Facebook advertisement in April.
Yang claimed he paid several thousand dollars in "application fees", and that the agent said they would assist him in obtaining academic certificates and shareholder status to increase his approval odds.
The man was also told donating would help his case.
The agent said they would handle the donation and promised to refund the amount afterwards, so Yang allegedly transferred $7,800.
At this time, Yang's wife had become suspicious and tried to stop him, and they argued over the matter, Shin Min reported. Yang said he did not believe his wife.
Separately, he also allegedly paid the agent $8,000 for a "re-entry permit".
The man, who earns about $2,000 a month, scraped together the funds by borrowing from friends and his employer, according to the report.
'Successful' application
In May this year, Yang reportedly received a picture showing a Singapore blue Identity card with his photograph on it.
He said he noticed his Singpass information remained the same, but the agent purportedly explained that he had to visit the immigration office in person for fingerprint verification, with the appointment scheduled for September.
Then, Yang was allegedly sent a certificate of shareholder dividends, from a company the "agent" claimed to help make him a shareholder in, on Aug 24 and asked to pay another $15,000.
Unable to afford the sum, he began doubting the agent.
Yang then checked the status of his application and found out that work permit holders are not eligible to apply for PR.
The police confirmed to Shin Min that a report was lodged, and they are investigating.
Yang told the Chinese paper that he is grateful for his wife's understanding.
He said he has repaid $4,000 he borrowed from his employer, and is paying the remaining owed to friends.
According to an earlier police advisory, close to $400,000 have been lost to such scams between January and April this year.
lim.kewei@asiaone.com
他委托一名“移民代理”处理他的新加坡永久居民（PR）申请，据称为此支付了 21,000 美元的“费用”和其他款项。
但当这位中国工作许可证持有者核实自己的资格时，他意识到这是一个骗局。
仓库经理杨先生告诉《新明日报》，他已经在新加坡工作了20年。
这位 50 岁的男子希望成为一名公关人员，于是在 4 月份联系了一位他在 Facebook 广告上找到的顾问。
杨声称他支付了数千美元的“申请费”，并且该经纪人表示他们将协助他获得学历证书和股东身份，以增加他获得批准的几率。
该男子还被告知，捐款将有助于他的案件。
代理人表示他们会处理捐款事宜，并承诺事后退款，因此杨据称转账了 7800 美元。
据《新明日报》报道，当时杨的妻子起了疑心，试图阻止他，两人为此争吵起来。杨表示他不相信妻子的话。
此外，据称他还向该代理人支付了 8000 美元，以获得“重新入境许可”。
据报道，这名男子每月收入约 2000 美元，他通过向朋友和雇主借钱才勉强凑齐了这笔资金。
申请“成功”
据报道，杨某今年5月收到一张照片，照片上是一张新加坡蓝色身份证，上面有他的照片。
他说他注意到自己的 Singpass 信息保持不变，但据称该代理人解释说，他必须亲自前往移民局进行指纹验证，预约时间定在 9 月。
随后，据称杨于 8 月 24 日收到了一份股东分红证明，该证明来自一家“代理人”声称帮助他成为股东的公司，并要求他再支付 15,000 美元。
由于无力支付这笔款项，他开始怀疑经纪人。
杨随后查询了他的申请状态，发现工作许可证持有者没有资格申请永久居民身份。
警方向《新明日报》证实，他们已接到报案，目前正在调查中。
杨告诉这家中国报纸，他很感激妻子的理解。
他说他已经偿还了从雇主那里借的 4000 美元，正在偿还欠朋友的剩余款项。
根据警方早前的通报，今年1月至4月期间，此类诈骗造成的损失已接近40万美元。
lim.kewei@asiaone.com