SINGAPORE — Three women and one man, all Chinese nationals, have been charged with conspiracy to cheat after allegedly duping at least one victim into surrendering cash and valuables under the pretense of a spiritual “blessing” ritual.
The accused are Huang Ximing (61), Zhong Weifeng (58), Huang Qinyan (47), and Huang Meiling (56). Each faces two counts of cheating in furtherance of a criminal conspiracy, according to charge sheets and a police press release issued on Friday, June 6.
The Chinatown Scam
According to police investigations, the first incident occurred on June 3 in the Chinatown area. Huang Meiling allegedly approached the victim under the guise of seeking directions to a Chinese physician. Zhong Weifeng then intervened, claiming she knew such a practitioner and invited the victim to help by posing as a relative due to overcrowding at the “clinic.”
The trio then led the victim to Huang Qinyan, who impersonated the physician. The victim was told she was suffering from “misfortune due to negative spiritual elements” and persuaded to meet again at Hong Lim Park.
At the meeting, the victim surrendered S$700 in cash and a gold necklace with a Guan Yin pendant, which Huang Qinyan placed in a black plastic bag during a fake blessing ritual. The victim was told to keep the bag unopened under her bed for a month. Upon inspection the next day, she found only leaves inside.
A Second Scam in Clementi
A similar incident was reported on June 4 in the Clementi area, where two women reportedly approached another victim and convinced her to place her S$700 in cash into a black trash bag for “safekeeping.” She later found the cash missing.
The Arrest and Court Proceedings
Investigations revealed that on June 3 at around 3pm, near Commonwealth Avenue West, all four suspects allegedly conspired to deceive another victim into handing over an envelope of cash, claiming they had superior methods for safeguarding valuables.
Following extensive ground inquiries and the review of CCTV footage, police arrested the four suspects on June 5. A gold necklace belonging to one of the victims was recovered, along with S$1,311 in cash and 10,050 Chinese yuan (approximately US$1,400).
Huang Ximing, Zhong, and Huang Qinyan appeared in court via videolink. A prosecutor requested their remand for one week, with permission to take them out for further investigations, including identifying possible accomplices and recovering more evidence. The court approved the request and scheduled a further hearing for June 13.
Huang Meiling was charged separately.
Police Warning
In a statement, the police urged the public to be cautious of individuals offering spiritual or blessing services.
“No legitimate religious practitioner will ask for your money or valuables to be surrendered for any blessing ritual,” the police said.
“If approached by someone claiming you have bad luck or need spiritual cleansing, do not engage and call the police immediately.”
They also urged the public to warn elderly family members, who are often targeted in such scams.
