Singapore's Online Community - View Single Post - HER PHOTO IS USED IN ONLINE BLACKMAIL SCAM TO... TRICK HIM TO STRIP

***StarDust*** · 25-03-2008, 07:02 AM

HER PHOTO IS USED IN ONLINE BLACKMAIL SCAM TO... TRICK HIM TO STRIP
March 25, 2008

WHAT was meant to be a late night tit-for-tat webcam striptease between two strangers turned into an embarrassing blackmailing scam for one man.

Miss Connie Cheung (left) shakes the hand of the victim known as John (right) while MCA's Public Service and Complaints Bureau chief Datuk Michael Chong mediates. Picture: NEW STRAITS TIMES

According to the New Straits Times, a 25-year-old financial adviser fell victim to this scam last Wednesday after he was seduced by a woman.

The man, identified only as John, was told that if he exposed himself, the woman would then expose herself.

According to John, the woman, whom he said resembled a Hong Kong starlet, even exchanged phone numbers to seal the deal.

'I was slightly intoxicated at that time, which was about 5.30am. The girl sent me a picture of herself and we started chatting using a webcam. The offer seemed too good to pass off at the time,' said John at the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) Public Service and Complaints Bureau in Wisma MCA yesterday.

Instead, the woman, known only as Lisa, recorded his act and played it back to him.

He ended the chat session, but hours later received text messages demanding he deposit RM1,800 ($850) and to await further instructions.

PART OF A SYNDICATE?
At 10.30am on the same day, John deposited the money. It was then that he realised Lisa was part of a syndicate when her handphone was answered by a man to confirm the transaction.

John then decided to seek the help of MCA Public Service and Complaints Bureau chief Datuk Michael Chong.

But in a further twist to the blackmail, the woman whose photo was used by Lisa in the scam has come forward.

Miss Connie Cheung, 27, heard from her aunty last Friday that her photograph, taken off her Friendster account, was in a newspaper.

Miss Cheung said she had posted several photographs on the social networking site two years ago and someone must have accessed the photographs and used them to trick John.

Miss Cheung met the victim and both verified they did not know each other.

Mr Chong believed that a syndicate was behind this blackmail scam as two other cases, where similar methods were used, were reported last year.

'Usually, girls are the ones blackmailed by their jilted lovers, with sex as the payment.

'However, last year, I received two cases of men who were conned into stripping and later forced to pay up or face exposure.'

Mr Chong added that the girl in the picture used by the blackmailers could herself have been a victim.

John lodged a police report and, according to Mr Chong, city CID chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Ku Chin Wah, had assured him that they would solve the case.

Mr Chong urged other victims to come forward to help police in the investigations.

Source: http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/st...60101,00.html?

25-03-2008, 07:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
*StarDust* Experienced SGClubber Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,415 iTrader: (0) My Mood: Gender: Zodiac Sign: Country: Location: Woodlands SGC$: 309.15 Bank: 0.00 Total SGC$: 309.15	HER PHOTO IS USED IN ONLINE BLACKMAIL SCAM TO... TRICK HIM TO STRIP HER PHOTO IS USED IN ONLINE BLACKMAIL SCAM TO... TRICK HIM TO STRIP March 25, 2008 WHAT was meant to be a late night tit-for-tat webcam striptease between two strangers turned into an embarrassing blackmailing scam for one man. Miss Connie Cheung (left) shakes the hand of the victim known as John (right) while MCA's Public Service and Complaints Bureau chief Datuk Michael Chong mediates. Picture: NEW STRAITS TIMES According to the New Straits Times, a 25-year-old financial adviser fell victim to this scam last Wednesday after he was seduced by a woman. The man, identified only as John, was told that if he exposed himself, the woman would then expose herself. According to John, the woman, whom he said resembled a Hong Kong starlet, even exchanged phone numbers to seal the deal. 'I was slightly intoxicated at that time, which was about 5.30am. The girl sent me a picture of herself and we started chatting using a webcam. The offer seemed too good to pass off at the time,' said John at the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) Public Service and Complaints Bureau in Wisma MCA yesterday. Instead, the woman, known only as Lisa, recorded his act and played it back to him. He ended the chat session, but hours later received text messages demanding he deposit RM1,800 ($850) and to await further instructions. PART OF A SYNDICATE? At 10.30am on the same day, John deposited the money. It was then that he realised Lisa was part of a syndicate when her handphone was answered by a man to confirm the transaction. John then decided to seek the help of MCA Public Service and Complaints Bureau chief Datuk Michael Chong. But in a further twist to the blackmail, the woman whose photo was used by Lisa in the scam has come forward. Miss Connie Cheung, 27, heard from her aunty last Friday that her photograph, taken off her Friendster account, was in a newspaper. Miss Cheung said she had posted several photographs on the social networking site two years ago and someone must have accessed the photographs and used them to trick John. Miss Cheung met the victim and both verified they did not know each other. Mr Chong believed that a syndicate was behind this blackmail scam as two other cases, where similar methods were used, were reported last year. 'Usually, girls are the ones blackmailed by their jilted lovers, with sex as the payment. 'However, last year, I received two cases of men who were conned into stripping and later forced to pay up or face exposure.' Mr Chong added that the girl in the picture used by the blackmailers could herself have been a victim. John lodged a police report and, according to Mr Chong, city CID chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Ku Chin Wah, had assured him that they would solve the case. Mr Chong urged other victims to come forward to help police in the investigations. Source: http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/st...60101,00.html?