Earlier this week, on the the 18th of June, my mom headed to a money changer in People’s Park Complex (Chinatown), and was cheated of $500 at Haji Rahmathuliah (#01-K95B). A police report was made and an investigation is currently ongoing.
She entered this ?!#%^ money changer and was welcomed by a man who was apparently extremely “nice, friendly and helpful”. He brought her to the side where there was a corner counter and asked her what was the rate she was seeking. My mom then showed him my message that stated “If you change SGD$1450 you get IDR 14871200”. He ended up giving a lower rate but my mom decided to go ahead and change with him because he seemed really nice. Little did she know, she was walking right into his trap .
My mom had $600 on hand (6 x $100 notes) and went to withdraw $850 (17 x $50 notes) from the nearest ATM. She then counted all her money before handing them over to the guy.
What went down...
- Mom gave the $1450 she had on hand to the guy at the corner counter, where you can't see when he counts the money (as she recalled).
- Someone then came beside my mom and changed money with the same guy, which distracted her attention. (So weird though... like why would you attend to another customer when you’re presently already attending to one ???)
- Guy then diverts his attention back to my mom and tells her that she did not give him enough money.
- Mom said this can’t be because she was very sure that she handed him $1450.
- Guy refuted and insisted that she did not give him enough.
More at https://tinyurI.com/yccxgv79