Liu Changjian, a 33-year-old Chinese man, has been charged in Singapore for allegedly faking his own kidnapping to escape gambling debt. Liu entered Singapore on a tourist visa on March 1st and was scheduled to depart on March 6th, but he remained in the country.
During his stay in Singapore, Liu accumulated gambling debts ranging from S$20,000 to S$30,000. To extricate himself from this financial burden, he devised a plan to stage his own kidnapping and extort a ransom from his aunt in China.
On March 7th and 8th, Liu visited the Marina Bay Sands Casino, where he initiated his plan. He sent messages to his aunt, posing as his kidnapper, and demanded a ransom of 30,000 yuan (approximately £3,251). To provide proof, he forwarded his travel document photo.
Liu's aunt alerted his father, who contacted the Singapore Police Force on March 9th. An investigation was launched, and police conducted extensive searches and investigations. Within three hours of being notified, they located Liu safe and sound in the Marina Bay area.
Liu pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court via video-link while on remand. He faces charges of attempted cheating, which carry a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison or a fine upon conviction.
6 Comments
Muchacha
Liu's actions put his loved ones through unnecessary stress and worry. He is not a responsible adult at all.
Comandante
Liu's behavior is a disgrace to his family and to his country. He should be ashamed of himself for pulling such a stunt.
Africa
Liu's actions reflect poorly on the Chinese community in Singapore and give a bad reputation to law-abiding Chinese citizens living there.
Katchuka
Faking a kidnapping is a serious crime that wastes valuable resources that could have been used for real emergencies. Liu should face the consequence of his actions.
Loubianka
This story is a clear example of how far people will go to avoid taking responsibility for their own mistakes. Liu should be ashamed.
Bob the Helper
Gambling addiction is a serious issue, but faking a kidnapping to escape debt is not the way to handle it. He needs help, not criminal behavior.