I am from Kuala Lumpur. What you experienced in Singapore is not much different here...the PRC Chinese here are practicing the same type of tactics to lure innocent and soft hearted people. I have this experience once...it was at night after my dinner in Bukit Bintang, I was already in my car about to start my engine and a PRC couple knocked at my side window...so I wind down and ask...anything wrong...they told me they are broke and penniless and ask if i can give them RM100 for food and lodging...they told me they have been robbed...I did not even bother and drove off...they chase me and use their fist to bang on the back of my car bonnet and even today I can still see slight dent...these f_ _ _k_rs cant be pitied...
http://forums.asiaone.com/showthread.php?t=29744&page=11#101
I tell you one thing very strange. This sort of complaint about PRC has been on SBF since at least 1998-1999..... maybe even earlier, but my lousy memory cannot recall that far. The only difference is, there is like, 100X more of the PRC pricks let loose in the World right now.
Brother, if I were given 5 cents for every time I kena acosted by a Con Man/Woman from PRC or India, when I am walking on the street, I would be a millionaire now.
The cure? Just pretend to be a Japanese. Tell them you "no speaka Chinee." The India con men? Just walk off and leave them talking to themselves.