Singaporean man arrested for faking kidnapping in Vietnam for money
A 30-year-old Singaporean man believed to have faked his own kidnapping overseas for money has been arrested, said the police.
In a statement issued on Thursday (21 March), the police said that they had received a report on 27 February at about 10.35pm about the man being kidnapped in Vietnam.
The man had informed his relatives that he was kidnapped and requested for a ransom amount of US$15,000 (S$20,223) to be transferred to his bank account to ensure his release.
“Through investigations and with the assistance rendered by the Vietnamese police, it was established that the man was not kidnapped, and was safe and well in Vietnam,” said the police.
Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the man came up with the ruse so that his relatives would send money to him.
He was arrested in Changi Airport upon his return to Singapore on Wednesday at about 12.05am.
Investigations are ongoing.
If found guilty of cheating, the man could face a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine.
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