From Instagram to the Court: A 17‑Year‑Old’s Tale of Deception
Picture this: a 17‑year‑old Singaporean, fresh off a probation order for other missteps, assumes the identity of a woman online, luring men into a scam that borders on the absurd. These weren’t just any fake profiles; they were carefully crafted using Instagram images of real women, complete with bra sizes, heights, and the typical list of “services” a dummy avatar might refuse to provide.
The Scam 101
Using sites like Locanto, the teen dropped virtual ads offering “sexual services.” Victims replied, and the boy replied with “girl fiction” details—think a tidy set of attributes and a price list that read like an online shopping catalog:
- $80 for a nude video
- $200 for a “sex” session
- $500 for overnight sex
But none of these services ever materialised. The victims were left with empty promises and a bruised ego.
Credibility Overload
One might think a 17‑year‑old couldn’t pull off enough deception to make a fake persona look real. Yet the boy didn’t just drop generic photos; he personalised his messages, calling newcomers “babe,” flirting, and insisting on upfront payments. Even more bizarrely, he’d instruct people to transfer money before meeting—sometimes to a random address, sometimes with a “deposit” explanation that sounded suspiciously like a polite scam‑villain’s excuse.
Beyond the Online Fraud
The case didn’t stop at the digital desert. Two further charges came from the Moneylenders Act, and the court considered nine additional offences, including breaching the submission of a crime record and other financial misdeeds.
Real‑World Punishments Yes, No
- He was already on 21 months of probation from a Youth Court hearing starting 3 Nov.
- His latest crimes began on 15 Nov of the prior year.
- He now faces a court hearing on 17 Nov for sentencing.
Why He Did It
When queried by Judge Christopher Goh, the teenager explained he had debt from online gambling and had been harassed by unlicensed moneylenders. In his own words, “there is always a choice.” But the judge didn’t find the later situation to justify the fraud and sentence him to probation and mandatory reformative training.
Case Numbers
- Four counts of cheating, including a fake PlayStation 5 sale.
- Cheating more than 10 victims for over $5,000 combined.
- He used Instagram and Locanto to create over 17 “fake girl” profiles.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Sarah Siaw declared the offences “egregious,” noting the teen’s careful construction of the persona made it almost irresistible for victims.
What’s Next?
The younger defendant will stand in court on 17 Nov, awaiting the final judgment. Whether the judge opts for a harsher sentence or subtly pushes for rehabilitation remains to be seen, but the world will be watching closely to see if a teenage scammer can truly change his path.
— The Straits Times
