SINGAPORE – A 32-year-old man, Tee Wei Jie, has been sentenced to 22 months in jail for cheating seven individuals of more than $154,000 through various deceptive schemes, including a fictitious “investment scheme”. The court proceedings took place on 14 November 2024, where Tee pleaded guilty to five counts of cheating, involving sums greater than $140,000.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
Tee, who was a personal assistant at a condominium in Paterson Hill, began his fraudulent activities in October 2020. His first victim was a 36-year-old man, who, eager to purchase a Rolex watch, transferred $12,980 to Tee, who promised to deliver the watch within six months. Instead, Tee used the funds for personal expenses, leaving the victim in the lurch.
- Victim Profiles:
- The initial victim sought a Rolex watch in October 2020.
- In January 2021, Tee cheated another victim out of $19,900 under similar pretences.
- A friend was duped into purchasing a Chanel bag for nearly $8,000 in June 2021.
- The fourth victim, a former colleague, was convinced to invest in a non-existent scheme, eventually losing over $89,000.
- His fifth and final victim transferred $10,000 just a day after their lunch meeting in July 2023.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
During the court hearing, Deputy Public Prosecutor Sheldon Lim highlighted Tee’s extensive manipulation of his victims, stating that he had made multiple excuses to avoid repaying them. Tee has made more than $29,000 in restitution to his victims so far. Despite requests from Tee’s defence lawyer for a lighter sentence, the prosecution called for a sentence length of up to 27 months due to the considerable amounts involved.
Tee was ordered to surrender himself at the State Courts on 16 December 2024, to begin serving his sentence, amid conditions that included bail set at $45,000.
As the court noted the psychological and financial impact of Tee’s deception, it remains a sobering reminder of the risks involved in financial dealings, especially when trusting friends or acquaintances.