A 34-year-old Singaporean woman is facing over 280 charges of cheating after allegedly defrauding numerous victims through a fraudulent hotel booking scheme.
The accused, Farah Diyanah Abdul Falik, is suspected of enticing individuals to transfer money ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars for discounted stays at luxury hotels like Capella Singapore and The Fullerton Bay Hotel.
The scam operated through a social media platform where the woman offered enticing hotel room packages at discounted rates. After receiving payments via bank transfers and PayNow, victims were left empty-handed without any confirmed bookings.
Police investigations have revealed that the scam spanned from mid-2021 to late 2022, with more than 900 victims falling prey to the scheme. The total financial loss suffered by the victims is estimated to exceed S$1.3 million.
If convicted, Farah Diyanah Abdul Falik could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine for each cheating charge. The case has been adjourned to August 30th.
The Singaporean police have issued a stern warning against scams and fraud, emphasizing their commitment to prosecuting offenders to the fullest extent of the law.
