A 31-year-old Indian man in Singapore has been sentenced to 2 years in prison for defrauding a 25-year-old woman he met on Carousell (a Singaporean e-commerce company) of more than S$268,000 (approximately Rs. 16 crore) in seven months.The man, identified as Thevendran, led the woman to believe they had a true friendship while repeatedly asking her for money for various reasons. He claimed he needed funds for court proceedings, bail, dental bills and other expenses. In fact, he used the money to support his gambling habit, Mothership reported.The scam started on July 24, 2021, when Thevendran posted a PlayStation 4 listing on Carousell. The woman paid a delivery deposit of S$150 within seven days and subsequently transferred S$49 for the game fee. She believed she paid for the PS4, but it was never delivered.After the initial transaction, Thevendran continued to message the woman via Carousell and WhatsApp. Between August 17, 2021 and January 9, 2022, he deceived her into transferring money 57 times. She had repeatedly transferred S$10,000 at his request.Thevendran knew from August 18, 2021, that the money came from the woman’s insurance and provident fund payments after her mother’s death. By December 2021, he knew she had no funds left, but he still kept asking for more money. He later refunded a total of S$5,000 in three installments. The scam was uncovered when the woman transferred S$26,000 from her father’s bank account without his knowledge, prompting a police investigation.Thevendran defrauded victims of approximately S$268,520 in total. Deputy Public Prosecutor Surya Prakash said in handing down the sentence that he continued to take action even though he knew the victim had no money left. Defense lawyers said Thevendran realized the seriousness of his actions and had undergone counseling and had not committed any offenses in the past four years.District Judge Janet Wang noted the psychological harm and financial loss suffered by the victim, adding that she found Thevendran had voluntarily repaid S$104,000, about 40 per cent of the total amount.Tevendran admitted one count of cheating at an earlier court hearing.
