Woman jailed for embezzling nearly S$1.5 million from charity, lost most of it in love scam

Channel News Asia ^ | 28 Jul 2021

[nickcarraway]

A finance and administrative assistant at a non-profit organisation embezzled S$1.46 million from the charity over a few months.

She used most of it on a "lover" who turned out to be a scammer, and spent the rest on jewellery and luxury goods for herself.

When the police granted her a phone call in lock-up on compassionate grounds to make childcare arrangements for her daughter, she texted a friend instructing them to lie about the case.

Aggiss Tan Shu Han, 36, was given six years and seven months' jail on Wednesday (Jul 28).

She pleaded guilty to one count each of criminal breach of trust by a servant, giving false information to a police officer and obstructing the course of justice.

Another three charges were considered in sentencing.

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The court heard that Tan was employed as the finance and administrative assistant of non-profit organisation The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Asia Pacific.

She earned a monthly salary of about S$2,500 from the organisation, a registered charity that develops and implements anti-tuberculosis, lung health and non-communicable disease programmes.

Tan was tasked with making payments to vendors such as consultants and suppliers via bank transfers. She worked with accountant Cuthbert Syn, the only other employee in the finance team, the court heard.

In March 2019, Mr Syn handed Tan his iBanking token for a company bank account and instructed her to make certain fund transfers.

When Mr Syn later asked for the token back, she did not do so, claiming she had forgotten to bring it to the office.

EMBEZZLED S$1.46 MILLION IN A MATTER OF MONTHS

Between April 2019 and June 2019, Tan used the token on 174 occasions, misappropriating a total of S$1.46 million.

She lost about S$1.1 million in a love scam to her online "boyfriend".

[nickcarraway]

So she stole the money from others, and it was in turn stolen from here. Circle of life.

[ClearCase_guy]

She used most of it on a "lover" who turned out to be a scammer

What a cad! Don't you just hate it when that happens?

[colorado tanker]

It's called catfishing. A fake online lover scams a woman, often getting her to borrow or steal from others. It's surprising how often it works.

Not that it excuses her criminal behavior.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

A Love sick fool—parted from her money—Ancient scam. I hope she learned a valuable lesson. Love and sex have always been a tool of spies and con men (and women). How do you say Fang-Fang?

[shotgun]

Asian flower duped by Nigerian Prince???

[Joe 6-pack]

The internet is ranked 16,578th on the best places to find romance, right behind Vassar College (16,577th) and Methadone Clinics (16,576th).

[Dr. Sivana]

The internet is ranked 16,578th on the best places to find romance, right behind Vassar College

I was best man at two weddings where the couples found out about each other on catholicsingles.com. That was over 20 years ago, and both are still going strong.

[Libloather]

Wasn’t me this time.

Wait a second.

Nope not me.