by Andrea Soh

HE ADVERTISED in newspapers pretending to be renting out his three-room HDB flat.

Then, he would meet up with prospective tenants and collect deposits of between $150 and $3,000, before disappearing.

After cheating at least 11 prospective tenants in this way, the 46-year-old unemployed Singaporean was arrested on Tuesday at about 7pm at Causeway Point - one of his alleged transaction venues.

The man started his scam two months ago, police said at a press conference yesterday.

To get in touch with potential tenants, the man, who went by various names such as Anthony, George and Adrian, would place advertisements in newspapers and approach housing agents.

After that, when contacted, he would arrange for a meeting away from the Commonwealth Drive flat he was renting out.

Giving the victim photocopies of his identity card and flat conservancy booklet, and two keys to gain their trust, he asked for a deposit to be paid in cash.

After receiving the money, he would pretend to be in a rush, asking the victim to visit the flat later when his brother was there.

Many of them got a rude shock when they went to the flat - the keys would not fit either the grill or the door lock.

However, the door was unlocked.

Said one of the victims, housing agent Ronnie Ang, 47, who pushed open the door: 'It was all empty and unfurnished.'

The suspect had told him earlier that it was fully furnished, with two air-conditioners.

Though he was not supposed to pay the deposit as a housing agent, Mr Ang passed him $150, as the man said he needed money to go to Malaysia.

After realising he had been cheated later that day, he tried contacting the suspect, but his mobile phone was switched off.

He made a police report the next day on June 6.

The suspect's downfall came about when another victim, interior designer Rainer Lew, 36, heard his colleague having a similar conversation on the phone with a landlord on Tuesday morning - just a day after he got cheated himself.

He tipped off the police, who then laid an ambush and caught him. The suspect had cheated his victims of $8,250 in all during his crime spree, police said.

An accomplice - whom the suspect introduced as his 'brother' - joined him in some meetings. Police said he would be picked up as well soon.

The Commander of Clementi police division, Superintendent Ng Yeow Boon, yesterday commended his officers for successfully solving the case.

He also advised members of the public to 'do their due diligence' when renting flats - to verify the ownership of the flat, and also view it for themselves before parting with any money.

If found guilty, the man may be jailed up to seven years and also fined.

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