SINGAPORE – A 42-year-old man was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment on Monday (Nov 17) for orchestrating a large-scale donation scam that amassed more than S$106,000 (US$81,300) from over 12,600 victims.
Lim Kah Kheng pleaded guilty to four counts of cheating. An additional eight charges of cheating and three counts of theft in dwelling were considered during sentencing.
According to a joint statement from the police and the Office of the Commissioner of Charities, authorities received a report on Jun 24, 2024, about a man soliciting donations door-to-door in the Bedok North Street 3 area.
Investigators later uncovered that Lim had been running a bogus fundraising operation since Jan 28, 2020, using forged staff passes and falsified documents.
“Posing as a social entrepreneur and charity worker, he recruited and misled seven individuals into believing they were helping with legitimate charitable efforts, and subsequently deceived members of the public into making donations under false pretences,” the authorities said.
Police identified and arrested Lim on the same day the report was filed. The scam primarily targeted residents in housing estates.
The authorities urged the public to stay alert to potential donation scams and to exercise caution when approached by fundraisers.
Suspicious charitable activities should be reported to the Office of the Commissioner of Charities, and a police report should be made immediately if a scam is suspected.
Cheating offences carry penalties of a fine and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Source: CNA
