Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong is a much respected politician who wields great power and commands affection in the city-state. So imagine taking a phone call from the country's leader threatening imprisonment.
The Straits Times reported yesterday that an elusive conman allegedly posed as the prime minister as part of an elaborate and lucrative scam. Chong Keng Chye also reportedly made calls in the guise of Yong Pung How, the country's hardline chief justice.
Chong and three associates spread word that Chong was about to be hauled off to court for not paying income tax. To prevent his prosecution, Chong maintained that he was prepared to give away property, vehicles and S$8.8 million (HK$38.9 million) to those willing to pay a 'transfer' fee, the newspaper said.
Six people fell for the ruse. To pressure them into paying, Chong phoned them pretending to be Mr Goh or Chief Justice Yong to say that they needed to pay the transfer fees. The six paid S$200,000 over two years.
Details of the scheme were revealed when one of Chong's accomplices, Sung Swee Chee, appeared in court on cheating charges. Sung was said to be the younger brother of Chong's girlfriend and accomplice, Sung Peck Imm.
Chong and his girlfriend are still at large, along with Canny Ang Siew Hoon, Sung Peck Imm's eldest daughter.