Widow 'willingly' gave ex-tour guide money

Widow 'willingly' gave ex-tour guide money

YES, he did buy luxury items for himself and his wife, went on overseas trips, took his family on holidays and even stayed at the five-star Hilton in Osaka.

But former China tour guide Yang Yin maintains that these expenses came from money willingly given to him by a rich Singaporean widow because she saw him as her "grandson".

As he was entitled to the money, he did no wrong in spending it the way he saw fit.

In the defence his lawyers filed with the High Court on Wednesday, and which was seen by The Straits Times, Yang rejected accusations that he worked his way into the life of 88-year-old Chung Khin Chun because he coveted her wealth.

Instead, it was the widow who started to give him smaller amounts first - for things such as English lessons and a car - before giving him enough to help him buy a condominium.

An explanation was also given for a $500,000 bank transfer that Madam Chung made to Yang's father in China in 2010. The money was for his father to buy a painting by prominent Chinese artist Xu Beihong on behalf of Madam Chung, who is known to be an avid art collector. The painting has since been seized by the Commercial Affairs Department.

[[nid:136723]]

The defence papers were filed in relation to a lawsuit by the widow's niece, 61-year-old tour agency owner Hedy Mok.

Acting on behalf of her aunt, Madam Mok alleges in court papers that Yang manipulated the elderly woman, who was diagnosed with dementia last year, into handing over control of her wealth. She also alleges that he used the widow's money to indulge in a lavish lifestyle.

The saga first surfaced in September after Madam Mok evicted Yang, his wife and his young daughter from Madam Chung's $30 million bungalow in Gerald Crescent, off Yio Chu Kang Road.

Later that month, Yang was arrested. He was charged in October with faking receipts at his music and dance school here. The 41-year-old, currently in remand, also faces two counts of criminal breach of trust for allegedly misappropriating $1.1 million from the widow.

Madam Mok is also trying to get a new will by Madam Chung to be recognised. This will is supposed to replace a previous one in which the widow left everything to Yang. He is contesting this application.

According to his defence papers, Yang, who is a Singapore permanent resident, first met Madam Chung and her husband, Chou Sip King, in 2006, after being introduced by her friend. Dr Chou died in 2007.

In 2008, Yang was Madam Chung's tour guide during a trip to Beijing. During the trip, Madam Chung asked him to be her "grandson" because she had no children and was "lonely". He called her "granny" and thought nothing of it.

He continued to keep in touch with her when she returned to Singapore - speaking to each other for up to 40 minutes every week - and later started visiting her here, the papers said.

[[nid:140902]]

It was Madam Chung who wanted him to remain in Singapore for longer periods.

After seeking professional advice, Yang was advised to set up a business to get an employment pass. Madam Chung gave him the money for this.

According to his 26-page defence, Madam Chung had transferred $4,000 to Yang after her holiday, possibly as a "generous" tip. There was a $12,000 Chinese New Year "hongbao" and $40,000 for Yang to buy a car in China, so that he could "get used to driving" before coming to Singapore to take care of Madam Chung.

He then used $300,000 of Madam Chung's money, which was "given to him as a gift", to buy a unit at The Shore Residences in Amber Road in 2010.

He later sold it for $1.4 million, according to the papers.

tohyc@sph.com.sg


Get MyPaper for more stories.

This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.