A 33-year-old man, Liu Changjian, is facing charges after allegedly fabricating his own kidnapping in a desperate bid to pay off significant gambling debts. The elaborate hoax involved sending menacing messages to his aunt in China, demanding a ransom of 30,000 yuan (approximately S$5,630) for his supposed release.
The scheme unraveled when the Singapore Police Force swiftly located Liu, unharmed, near Marina Bay, just three hours after being alerted. Investigations revealed that Liu, who arrived in Singapore as a tourist on March 1, had concocted the kidnapping narrative after accruing gambling debts between $20,000 and $30,000 during his stay.
Liu, who overstayed his planned departure, resorted to this deceitful strategy in hopes of extracting the ransom money from his family. Despite his efforts, no ransom was paid, and his devices were confiscated by authorities.
Liu now faces legal repercussions for attempted cheating, with a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine. His pre-trial conference is scheduled for March 25, marking a significant turn in what began as a gambit to evade financial ruin.
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