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News
Photos from Shin Min Daily News & Flickr
A former small-time actor on contract, who made headlines for borrowing money from a number of Singapore artistes, is apparently still at it now.
A woman, who claimed that she lent him about S$50,000 over the past few years, has broken her silence and approached the Chinese media to share what she found out, Shin Min Daily News reported.
In 2013, the man, identified only as "A", had already borrowed money from several Mediacorp artistes, Shin Min reported.
Photo from Shin Min Daily News
Photo from Shin Min Daily News
The incident made headlines then.
"A" allegedly borrowed up to a few hundred thousand dollars and then disappeared
Years later, "A" has apparently resumed borrowing money again.
This time, he has been borrowing money from friends and acquaintances.
Chen, 50, a housewife, said she lent "A" S$50,000.
Photo from Shin Min Daily News
He has not paid her back.
Chen said she met "A" at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in 2022 through a friend
"A" claimed then that he was working as a safe distancing ambassador at the hospital as the tourism industry was impacted by the pandemic, Chen said.
"A" had apparently claimed to be a tour guide agent.
Chen said she has been to his tours over the past few years.
His trips were to Alaska, the Netherlands, Japan, Taiwan, and the Mediterranean.
Chen said "A" suddenly started complaining frequently in 2023 that he had been cheated and his bank account was frozen.
She lent him S$10,000 for the first time in May 2024.
She had some doubts at the time, but when "A" borrowed S$5,000 from her again, he repaid the full amount with S$320 in interest.
This made her lower her guard.
He then borrowed more money, including after claiming he had been scammed abroad, had no money for food, and needed to pay for tour group flights and hotel deposits.
Chen transferred several thousand dollars each time.
"A" has allegedly stopped making repayment to Chen and owes her S$50,000.
She made a police report in April 2026.
Chen said she was shocked to discover that "A" was the same person who had borrowed money from several celebrities more than a decade ago.
She found this out in November 2025 after joining a group chat with others who lent "A" money.
She said she spoke to Shin Min so that others will be more careful and not lend "A" money.
So far, at least six people have made police reports.
The total sum owed is S$500,000.
Some of those owed money are refusing to speak to the media or go public with their claims as they are apparently holding out for repayment.
The police told Shin Min they have received the reports and are investigating.
According to media reports last time, "A" allegedly borrowed money to invest in tourism businesses and to treat his mother's illness.
Other celebrities who lent "A" money included actresses Zoe Tay, Hong Huifang, and actor Chen Guohua.
Even Hong Kong actress Michelle Yim had allegedly lent him money as well.
Actor Wang Yuqing said he had lent S$3,000 to S$5,000 to "A" years ago.
He spent several months chasing "A" for his money back.
Chen, the woman who is owed money, said "A" had apparently spoken about his relationship with Singapore celebrities, and he had commented on who was good or not.
Veteran Singapore actress Jin Yinji said she lent "A" S$10,000 previously and he had returned the money to her.
Another woman, Huang, 65, said she had known "A" since she was in her 30s.
She would lend him S$300 to S$500 each time, and he would repay her.
Huang and her husband also took money from their Central Provident Fund (CPF) and lent "A" about S$190,000.
"A" has made small repayments over a period of time, but allegedly still owes the couple about S$136,000.
Another woman, Shen, said she signed up for a tour by "A", but it got cancelled.
"A" allegedly said he was sick, and the tour had to be called off.
He apparently did not refund the woman any money.
She had paid S$15,000 for the tour.
Shen also claimed that "A" owed her S$105,000 in total, which included loans she had previously made to him.
The Shin Min reporter tried to reach "A" over calls and messages, but could not reach him.
Two visits to his home also did not yield any response.
"A" then contacted Chen to say that he knew that a reporter was looking for him, but that he was currently trying to get another person to repay a debt.
He said he would repay Chen when he had retrieved the money owed to him.
Ex-actor in S'pore borrowed money from Mediacorp artistes in 2013, now owes people S$500,000, police reports lodged
He said he will repay the money owed.
Photos from Shin Min Daily News & Flickr
A former small-time actor on contract, who made headlines for borrowing money from a number of Singapore artistes, is apparently still at it now.
A woman, who claimed that she lent him about S$50,000 over the past few years, has broken her silence and approached the Chinese media to share what she found out, Shin Min Daily News reported.
Borrowed money from Mediacorp artistes in 2013
In 2013, the man, identified only as "A", had already borrowed money from several Mediacorp artistes, Shin Min reported.
The incident made headlines then.
"A" allegedly borrowed up to a few hundred thousand dollars and then disappeared
Borrowed S$50,000 from housewife
Years later, "A" has apparently resumed borrowing money again.
This time, he has been borrowing money from friends and acquaintances.
Chen, 50, a housewife, said she lent "A" S$50,000.
He has not paid her back.
Chen said she met "A" at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in 2022 through a friend
"A" claimed then that he was working as a safe distancing ambassador at the hospital as the tourism industry was impacted by the pandemic, Chen said.
"A" had apparently claimed to be a tour guide agent.
Chen said she has been to his tours over the past few years.
His trips were to Alaska, the Netherlands, Japan, Taiwan, and the Mediterranean.
Lent him money in 2024
Chen said "A" suddenly started complaining frequently in 2023 that he had been cheated and his bank account was frozen.
She lent him S$10,000 for the first time in May 2024.
She had some doubts at the time, but when "A" borrowed S$5,000 from her again, he repaid the full amount with S$320 in interest.
This made her lower her guard.
He then borrowed more money, including after claiming he had been scammed abroad, had no money for food, and needed to pay for tour group flights and hotel deposits.
Chen transferred several thousand dollars each time.
Made police report
"A" has allegedly stopped making repayment to Chen and owes her S$50,000.
She made a police report in April 2026.
Found out "A" was the one who borrowed money from celebs
Chen said she was shocked to discover that "A" was the same person who had borrowed money from several celebrities more than a decade ago.
She found this out in November 2025 after joining a group chat with others who lent "A" money.
She said she spoke to Shin Min so that others will be more careful and not lend "A" money.
So far, at least six people have made police reports.
The total sum owed is S$500,000.
Some of those owed money are refusing to speak to the media or go public with their claims as they are apparently holding out for repayment.
The police told Shin Min they have received the reports and are investigating.
Artistes affected previously
According to media reports last time, "A" allegedly borrowed money to invest in tourism businesses and to treat his mother's illness.
Other celebrities who lent "A" money included actresses Zoe Tay, Hong Huifang, and actor Chen Guohua.
Even Hong Kong actress Michelle Yim had allegedly lent him money as well.
Actor Wang Yuqing said he had lent S$3,000 to S$5,000 to "A" years ago.
He spent several months chasing "A" for his money back.
Chen, the woman who is owed money, said "A" had apparently spoken about his relationship with Singapore celebrities, and he had commented on who was good or not.
Veteran Singapore actress Jin Yinji said she lent "A" S$10,000 previously and he had returned the money to her.
Took money from CPF to lend "A"
Another woman, Huang, 65, said she had known "A" since she was in her 30s.
She would lend him S$300 to S$500 each time, and he would repay her.
Huang and her husband also took money from their Central Provident Fund (CPF) and lent "A" about S$190,000.
"A" has made small repayments over a period of time, but allegedly still owes the couple about S$136,000.
Another woman lent "A" money
Another woman, Shen, said she signed up for a tour by "A", but it got cancelled.
"A" allegedly said he was sick, and the tour had to be called off.
He apparently did not refund the woman any money.
She had paid S$15,000 for the tour.
Shen also claimed that "A" owed her S$105,000 in total, which included loans she had previously made to him.
"A" could not be reached
The Shin Min reporter tried to reach "A" over calls and messages, but could not reach him.
Two visits to his home also did not yield any response.
"A" then contacted Chen to say that he knew that a reporter was looking for him, but that he was currently trying to get another person to repay a debt.
He said he would repay Chen when he had retrieved the money owed to him.
