HDB/Flat Rental Scam–Police are appealing for information to assist with investigations into a series of flat rental scams

Police are looking for the man shown in the picture to assist with investigations into a series of flat rental scams reported at Blk 1 Lor Lew Lian #06-24.

From 31 Mar 2011 , at least 13 cases of flat rental scams have been reported at Blk 1 Lor Lew Lian #06-24. In all the cases, victims had responded to flat rental advertisements placed in the Chinese newspapers between 4 and 29 Mar 2011 . The suspect would arrange with victims to view the unit, and would collect money ($500 - $4800) from them as deposit for the rental of the unit. The victims were told to move into the unit between 3 and 7 Apr 2011. After collecting the money, the suspect would then become evasive and remain uncontactable.

Police believe that this man in the picture may be able to assist in investigations. His name is Chua Thiam Lye and the description of the man is as follows:

a)	Gender	:	Male Chinese in his 40s
b)	Height	:	About 1.7m tall
c)	Hair	:	Short and black
d)	Build	:	Plump
e)	Other	:	A mole below his lips

Anyone with information on this man is requested to call the Police Hotline at 1800-2550000. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Crime Prevention Tips – Flat Rental Scam
a)	Seek service from an established estate agent;
b)	Conduct a check against the agent and the company before signing any agreement;
c)	Observe due diligence and carry out verifications of any documents relating to the property;
d)	Visit the flat you wish to rent and ensure that the person you are dealing with is the rightful flat owner. Request documentary proof of flat ownership that bears the flat owner’s name.
e)	Request the flat owner to show you a copy of the approval letter from HDB if you are renting the whole flat
f)	Be careful if asked for an advance payment and do not pay large sums in cash. As proof of payment, you should pay the rental deposit and rents by cheque; and
g)	Do a check with the company to ensure that the estate agent is indeed with the company. If in doubt, request to sign the documents and hand over the deposit at the office.

48 year-old Singaporean arrested for serial rental scam

Singapore Police arrested a 48 year-old Singaporean man who is believed to responsible for at least 3 cases of rental scams where victims were cheated of about $9,000/- in total.

A 43 year-old PRC national reported to the Police that he had been cheated of a sum of $2,800/- by a male suspect who agreed to rent him his flat but disappeared after collecting the money. Upon receipt of the report, officers from Clementi Police Division conducted extensive enquiries and investigations and managed to ascertain the identity of the suspect. This led to the arrest of the suspect 5 days later on 28 Oct 2010 when he turned up at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority ( ICA ) to collect his passport.

Preliminary investigations revealed that since 15 Sep 2010, the suspect had advertised his flat for rent on the Internet. Unsuspecting victims who were mainly foreigners responded to the advertisement and paid the suspect advance rental payments and deposits. The suspect would then become uncontactable after receiving the money.

The suspect will be charged in Court for the offence of Cheating. The offence carries punishment of imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall be liable to fine.

source: Singapore Police