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            <title>Mothership.SG - News from Singapore, Asia and around the world</title>
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            <link>https://mothership.sg</link>
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                    <title>Chinese national, 41, breaks into houses in S’pore & stole S$105,750 worth of valuables, gets 3 years & 8 months’ jail</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/chinese-man-breaks-into-houses-jail/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-14T18:02:29</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Rafael See Toh ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/chinese-man-breaks-into-houses-jail/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ The defence lawyers said the accused's offences were “amateurish”. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/cover-photo-mothership-56.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>A 41-year-old male Chinese national was sentenced to three years and eight months’ jail after breaking into homes and stealing about S$105,750 worth of valuables in Singapore.</p><p>Huang Xiaozong pleaded guilty to two charges of housebreaking and was sentenced on Aug. 14.</p>
<p>Another trespassing charge was taken into consideration during sentencing.</p><p><h2>Visit</h2></p><p>In court documents seen by <em>Mothership</em>, Huang visited Singapore on Dec. 5, 2025, and stayed at a hotel in Little India.</p><p>This was his first visit to the country.</p><p>He “had thoughts of stealing things” as he wanted to earn some money.</p><p>Huang also “noticed that Singapore is very nice and rich”.</p><p>He decided to look for homes in wealthier parts of Singapore.</p><p>When no one appeared to be home, he would enter them and steal items.</p><p><h2>Capella Suite</h2></p><p>On Dec. 6, 2025, Huang went to Sentosa and walked around the island.</p><p>He then chanced upon the Capella Suite.</p><p>Huang noticed the lights were off, and it appeared that no one was inside.</p><p>He managed to gain entry to the suite by using the rear balcony door, a sliding door he forced open.</p><p>After entering, he searched the suite and found jewellery in the glass display cabinet in the living room and some other valuables in the master bedroom’s wardrobe.</p><p>Huang managed to steal items that had an estimated total value of S$58,000.</p><p>The items comprised one “Chanel” watch valued at about S$30,000, five rings valued at about S$25,000 and a gold necklace valued at S$3,000.</p><p>He then returned to his hotel in Little India.</p><p>On Dec. 8, 2025, at about 9:10am, the housekeeper of the suite noticed the theft when she discovered footprints on the floor, shifts in the sofa, and an empty glass cabinet.</p><p>She informed her supervisor of the situation, who in turn alerted the hotel’s management, which called the police.</p><p><h2>Serangoon</h2></p><p>On Dec. 7, 2025, Huang went to the Serangoon area after doing some research online.</p><p>Between 7pm and 8pm, he arrived at a home and noticed it was in total darkness, and it appeared as if no one was inside.</p><p>Huang climbed over a metal gate to enter the home.</p><p>After entering, he searched the home and found jewellery from the makeup table of one of the bedrooms.</p><p>Huang managed to steal items that had an estimated total value of S$47,750.</p><p>The items comprised two “Tiffany & Co” couple wedding rings valued at about S$25,000, one “Tiffany & Co” heart-shaped key pendant with diamonds, valued at about S$10,000, one pair of “Tiffany & Co” diamond earrings, valued at about S$5,000, one white gold necklace with diamonds, valued at about S$5,000, two silver bracelets of unknown value, three gold necklaces, valued at about S$800, one bracelet, yellow in colour, valued at about S$50, three pairs of earrings, yellow in colour, valued at about S$400, four rings, yellow in colour, valued at about S$1,500.</p><p>Huang then decided to go to another house in the Serangoon area and arrived at about 8pm.</p><p>He climbed over a metal gate to gain entry.</p><p>However, Huang was spotted by a domestic helper who was in the house, who asked him what he was doing there.</p><p>He responded in Mandarin, which the domestic helper did not understand.</p><p>Huang then climbed out of the house and fled the premises.</p><p>When the second victim returned home at around 8:40pm, she was alarmed to find her dressing table in a mess, and her wedding rings missing.</p><p>Her husband alerted the police to the situation at about 8:41pm.</p><p>She later discovered more items missing after performing a thorough check.</p><p><h2>Arrest</h2></p><p>After the theft, Huang returned to his hotel in Little India before changing hotels to one along Kampong Bahru Road on Dec. 8, 2025.</p><p>Huang was eventually traced to the hotel he had moved to and arrested on the same evening.</p><p>The stolen items were found in his possession and seized.</p><p>Huang has been in remand since.</p><p><h2>Transnational</h2></p><p>The prosecution sought three years and nine months’ jail to four years and one month’s jail.</p><p>They argued that Huang “specifically scouted residential houses which he believed</p><p>were empty for him to enter and steal items”.</p><p>They also noted that the offences were “transnational in nature” because Huang committed them one day after arriving in Singapore.</p><p>According to <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tourist-burglar-homes-sentosa-serangoon-6319081" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>CNA</em></a>, Huang’s lawyers said Huang’s offences were “amateurish”.</p><p>He pointed out that the losses were minimal as the stolen items were eventually recovered.</p><p>For house-breaking, Huang could have been jailed up to 10 years and fined.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='Chinese national, 41, breaks into houses in S’pore & stole S$105,750 worth of valuables, gets 3 years & 8 months’ jail' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2025/12/suspect-housebreaking-serangoon-chuan-drive/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe></p> ]]>
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                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1165399</post-id>
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                <item>
                    <title>Australian golfer, 18, passes away in Thailand after brain haemorrhage while preparing for tournament</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/australian-golfer-jessica-bang-dies-brain-haemorrhage/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-14T17:09:14</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Khine Zin Htet ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/australian-golfer-jessica-bang-dies-brain-haemorrhage/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ She had won her first professional event at just her fifth start. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/Article-Cover-Pic-2000-x-1050-2026-08-14T164051.912.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>An 18-year-old Australian golfer has died in Thailand after suffering a brain haemorrhage on Aug. 13.</p><p>According to a GoFundMe <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-jessica-return-home-6mjs8?cp_src=d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">page</a> set up by her cousins, Jessica Bang collapsed on Aug. 1 while preparing for a golf tournament in Bangkok.</p>
<p>She was due to compete in the International Qualifying Tournament for the Korean women's professional tour, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-14/australian-teen-golfer-jessica-bang-dies-in-thailand/107036160" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>ABC News</em></a> reported.</p><p>Bang had recently won her first professional event at just her fifth start in February 2026.</p><p>Her cousins said she had shown a promising future in golf and earned the nickname "Rookie Bang".</p><p>Funds raised will go to her parents to help with her medical expenses, they added.</p><p>At the time of writing, AUD$48,423 (S$43,803) had been raised.</p><p><h2>Promising golfer</h2></p><p>The Women's Professional Golfers' Association (WPGA) Tour of Australasia announced Bang's death in a Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WPGATour/posts/pfbid0nfj89AZh7vTEumsrK5wHnexCqyw1snDqEqW7RdvFstXFtPgdxVXL7Qtq7Tq7qT4rl" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">statement</a> on Aug. 13.</p><p>"The WPGA Tour of Australasia and the broader Australian golf community is deeply saddened by the passing of young Tour member Jessica Bang in Thailand," it said.</p><p>The tour described Bang as an "outstanding young talent" who made a significant impression during her short time on the Tour.</p><p>"She had earned her place on the WPGA Tour through Qualifying School at the end of 2025, following an outstanding amateur career," it said.</p><p>"The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the WPGA Tour of Australasia and the broader Australian golf community are with Jessica’s family, friends and all those who knew and loved her at this incredibly difficult time."</p></p> ]]>
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                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1165393</post-id>
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                <item>
                    <title>ITE drop-out, 22, works as waste collector, says doesn't matter what people think as it's an honest living</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/man-waste-collector-honest/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-14T16:54:05</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Rafael See Toh ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/man-waste-collector-honest/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ Honest work. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/cover-photo-mothership-54.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>A 22-year-old man in Singapore decided to pursue a career as a waste collector in Singapore.</p><p>Muhamad Danial Aiman Abdul Muttalib has documented his work as a waste collector on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@dannyarmani_/video/7662302657700203797" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TikTok</a>.</p>
<p><blockquote class="tiktok-embed" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@dannyarmani_/video/7662302657700203797" data-video-id="7662302657700203797" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;"><section><a target="_blank" title="@dannyarmani_" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@dannyarmani_?refer=embed" rel="noopener noreferrer">@dannyarmani_</a> A day in the life of a recycle waste attendant 🧤 inspiration from @AshKT <a title="fyp" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp?refer=embed" rel="noopener noreferrer">#fyp</a> <a title="kerja" target="_blank" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/kerja?refer=embed" rel="noopener noreferrer">#kerja</a> <a target="_blank" title="♬ BREAKBEAT DANZA KUDURO X AMERICAN DREAM V2 - ᴡᴇs. ᴢᴀɴ" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/BREAKBEAT-DANZA-KUDURO-X-AMERICAN-DREAM-V2-7543606690990558008?refer=embed" rel="noopener noreferrer">♬ BREAKBEAT DANZA KUDURO X AMERICAN DREAM V2 - ᴡᴇs. ᴢᴀɴ</a></section></p></blockquote></p><p><script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script></p><p>Danial has reportedly been working at the waste management company 800 Super for about five months.</p><p><h2>For the better</h2></p><p>Danial, the oldest of three siblings, told <a href="https://www.beritaharian.sg/mata-mata/3060249/kerja-kutip-sampah-beri-pemuda-peluang-kedua-ubah-kehidupan" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Berita Harian</em></a> he entered this line of work to prove he could change his life for the better after feeling he had let his family down.</p><p>“I entered this industry by accident after being invited by a friend to attend an interview. At that time, I wasn't really picky about the job offered, as long as it was an honest source of income," he said.</p><p>Danial also admitted to having difficulty finding employment.</p><p>He previously worked as a food delivery rider.</p><p>"I had dropped out of the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), and my performance during National Service was also not very good," he said.</p><p><h2>Challenges</h2></p><p>One of the challenges he faces is the weather, as he works regardless of rain or shine.</p><p>He also noted the stigma surrounding waste collectors.</p><p>“This job is often associated with a shameful or low-paid job, and some even think that this industry is mostly for the Malay community. That perception is not accurate because this industry also involves workers from various backgrounds and races,” he clarified.</p><p>Danial also admitted that the job offers a “fairly good income”.</p><p>He also explained that he would clean himself up after his shift.</p><p>“I handle more recyclable materials, so the smell is more of a box and sweat than a really bad waste,” he said.</p><p><h2>“Why should I care”</h2></p><p>Despite receiving negative comments on social media about his job, Danial claims he does not take them seriously.</p><p>To Danial, earning an honest living mattered more than opinions of others.</p><p>He said: “People can say anything. I know what I’m doing is not wrong. Why should I care what people think when I’m earning a living in an honest way?”</p></p> ]]>
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                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1165377</post-id>
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                <item>
                    <title>Man, 29, found asleep in van at Yishun, arrested after suspected drugs, vape & weapons found inside</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/man-van-yishun-weapon-drugs/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-14T16:46:36</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Chloe Loh ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/man-van-yishun-weapon-drugs/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ Investigations are ongoing. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/cover-pic-22.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>A 29-year-old man was arrested after police discovered suspected drugs, a vaporiser, and several offensive weapons inside a van in Yishun on Aug. 13.</p><p>According to a report by <a href="https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20260814-9519065" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Shin Min Daily News</em></a>, the incident took place at about 5:05am along Yishun Street 31, outside the multi-storey car park at Block 333.</p>
<p><h2>Van rented through a rental platform</h2></p><p>A resident, Lin, told <em>Shin Min</em> that he noticed several police vehicles and a van parked by the roadside when he looked out of his window at around 7am that day.</p><p>He added that he saw officers unloading items from the van and placing them on nearby bushes, where they appeared to be documenting evidence.</p><p>"I saw them searching, but I live on a higher floor, so it was hard to see clearly," he said.</p><p>When <em>Shin Min</em> reporters arrived at the scene, the van remained parked on the side of the road, beside a construction site.</p><p>As the incident took place on a two-way road, construction workers were seen directing traffic.</p><p>The van was also reportedly rented through the van rental platform LoadUp.</p><p>At least four police vehicles and a Crime Scene Investigation vehicle were present.</p><p>Residents interviewed by <em>Shin Min</em> said that while they noticed the heavy police presence, they did not see the van driver.</p><p><h2>Police found suspected drugs, vape and weapons</h2></p><p>In response to <em>Mothership's</em> queries, the police confirmed receiving a call for assistance at the aforementioned location.</p><p>Upon arrival, officers checked and woke up a man who was sleeping in the driver's seat of a van.</p><p>The 29-year-old man was subsequently found in possession of suspected drugs, one vaporiser, and an assortment of weapons including knuckledusters and karambits.</p><p>He was later arrested for possession of offensive weapons, driving while under the influence of drugs, as well as suspected drug-related and vaporiser-related offences.</p><p>The suspected drug-related offences have been referred to the Central Narcotics Bureau, and the vaporiser-related offences have been referred to the Health Sciences Authority.</p><p>Investigations are ongoing.</p><p><h2>Investigation allegedly lasted over four hours</h2></p><p>According to <em>Shin Min</em>, police remained at the scene for more than four hours and also deployed police dogs during the investigation.</p><p>At around 9am, three police cars and the Crime Scene Investigation vehicle had left, leaving one police car and two officers behind.</p><p>A tow truck arrived at around 9:20am and towed the van away.</p><p>Lin said he saw police dogs around the van at about 8am, and believed they were searching for drug-related evidence.</p><p>The van also appeared to have sustained a dent on its right side, as well as black scratches on the driver's door, which reportedly could not be closed properly.</p><p>When contacted by <em>Shin Min</em>, LoadUp said it was unable to comment as the case remains under police investigation.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1165368</post-id>
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                <item>
                    <title>Terrorist, tutor, trader, & thief: 4 attempted escapees from S'pore law</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/attempted-escapee-singapore/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-14T16:41:07</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Tan Min-Wei ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/attempted-escapee-singapore/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ One remains at large. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/Copy-of-Cover-image-2026-08-14T163839.374.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a> <a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/whatsapp-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>With the arrest and extradition of former lawyer Lim Tean, there has been much talk about his decision to evade jail by escaping to Johor.</p><p>His <a href="https://mothership.sg/2026/08/lim-tean-deported-arrested-singapore/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">escape</a> was short-lived, but what about other people who have absconded from Singaporean justice? Here are four other prominent names who have fled, or tried to flee, Singapore to evade the law.</p><p><h2>Mas Selamat Kastari</h2></p>
<p>Of all the people who have absconded from Singaporean law, none has made as large an impact as Mas Selamat Kastari.</p><p>Mas Selamat was the former <a href="https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=06baa148-6c1b-431f-aa82-342eb741096f" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">head</a> of Jemaah Islamiyah's Singapore branch who famously escaped from the Whitley Road Detention Centre in February 2008.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='Terrorist, tutor, trader, & thief: 4 attempted escapees from S'pore law' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2017/03/mas-selamat-kestari-planned-his-prison-break-for-a-month-in-2008/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p>A suspected terrorist, he had been detained for nearly two years since 2006, when he was deported from Indonesia to Singapore, where he was detained without trial under the Internal Security Act.</p><p>He took advantage of a family visit day, when he was allowed to change into civilian clothes.</p><p>Asking for privacy, he went into a toilet stall, was allowed to close the door behind him and be totally obscured from sight.</p><p>There he let a tap run, while he escaped through a grille-less window, climbed down a drainpipe, and slipped through a weak point in the centre’s fencing.</p><p>He evaded police for four days despite an extensive manhunt, and managed to swim across the Strait of Johor undetected.</p><p>Once in Johor, he managed to evade police for over a year before he was arrested in a small hamlet located just outside Johor Bahru.</p><p>He was eventually found after the Royal Malaysia Police detained three former JI members, who revealed Mas Selamat’s location under interrogation.</p><p>Mas Selamat was detained for two years by Malaysia and was eventually transferred to Singaporean custody in 2010, where he remains imprisoned indefinitely.</p><p><h2>Pony Poh</h2></p><p>Unlike Mas Selamat, over whom a lot of ink has been spilt about his escape and return, more mysterious is the fate of one Pony Poh.</p><p>Poh Yuan Nie, also known as Pony Poh, was a principal of a tuition centre who was found guilty of 27 counts of cheating for helping six foreign students cheat during the 2016 GCSE O-Level examinations.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='Terrorist, tutor, trader, & thief: 4 attempted escapees from S'pore law' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2019/07/pony-poh/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p>As part of an elaborate scheme, Poh masterminded a scheme where one accomplice would take an examination and transmit the questions to another pair of accomplices who would work out the answers.</p><p>The pair would then send the answers to the six students, who would be wearing concealed smartphones and flesh-tone earphones to receive.</p><p>But the plan was foiled when an invigilator noticed electronic sounds and voices coming from one of the students.</p><p>Poh was found to be the mastermind of the scheme, and in 2020 was sentenced to four years in jail.</p><p>During the trial, Poh's lawyer appeared to insinuate that the offences stemmed from one of Poh's accomplices being a spurned lover, who was in a relationship with Poh for seven years but did not realise that Poh was not a man.</p><p>But Poh, then 56, failed to appear in court on Nov. 23, 2022, and in December 2022, the Deputy Public Prosecutor applied to the court for a warrant of arrest for Poh to be executed outside of the jurisdiction.</p><p>This allowed for an Interpol Red Notice to be made.</p><p>As of January 2025, Poh and about 40 other Singaporeans have Interpol Red Notices against them.</p><p>Despite this, Poh has evaded arrest for nearly four years.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='Terrorist, tutor, trader, & thief: 4 attempted escapees from S'pore law' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2025/01/80-individuals-linked-singapore-wanted-interpol-red-notices/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p><h2>Nick Leeson</h2></p><p>Nick Leeson will be instantly familiar to millennials of a certain age or, weirdly, die-hard Ewan McGregor fans.</p><p>Nick Leeson was the British derivatives trader who famously single-handedly <a href="https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=729d993f-496e-40c4-b65f-2c2a7368b6a6" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">brought</a> down one of the United Kingdom’s oldest financial institutions, Barings Bank.</p><p>Barings was founded in 1762 and set up Barings Futures (Singapore) (BFS) in 1986, with Leeson arriving in the country in 1992 as BFS's derivatives operations manager and eventually as a trader.</p><p>Leeson’s responsibilities eventually came to encompass front office operations, such as trading, but also back office operations, which processed the paperwork for such trades.</p><p>According to<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/how-account-88888-sank-britain-s-oldest-bank-1319275.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em> The Independent</em></a>, this allowed Leeson to operate a secret and unauthorised trading account that was referred to as the “88888” account, which he used to hide trading losses.</p><p>It came to a head in 1995 when Leeson was betting on the Nikkei Index not falling below 19,000 points, when the 1995 Kobe earthquake hit, causing the stock exchange to plunge, causing losses of nearly S$1.4 billion.</p><p>Leeson realised that he would not be able to hide his losses, and chose to flee, first to Kuala Lumpur, and then back to England via Frankfurt.</p><p>Between 1992 and 1995, Leeson managed to rack up S$2.2 billion, about S$3.5 billion today, in losses in the account, coming close to being discovered on several occasions but managing to keep it hidden.</p><p>The bank was not able to absorb such a loss, causing the over 200-year-old bank to go into administration, and a warrant of arrest to be issued for Leeson.</p><p>Leeson was detained in Frankfurt when he arrived, initially attempting to fight extradition, but eventually agreed to return and pled guilty to two charges of fraud and forgery.</p><p>He was sentenced to six and a half years in prison, during which time his wife would divorce him, and he would be diagnosed with colon cancer.</p><p>He was eventually released early on one-third remission in 1999 for good behaviour, and eventually returned to the UK, where he has become a speaker at the after-dinner and keynote speaking circuits.</p><p>His actions would <a href="https://www.mas.gov.sg/news/speeches/1997/new-approach-to-regulating-developing-singapore-s-financial-sector--04-nov-1997" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">inform</a> Singapore's amendments to the Futures Trading Act and take other measures to strengthen its regulatory framework of futures trading.</p><p>Perhaps the oddest thing to emerge from this is the 1999 Ewan McGregor film Rogue Trader, where he plays Leeson, which came out the same year he played Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars Episode One.</p><p><iframe id="ytplayer" type="text/html" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7B8fGmKjNEM" frameborder="0"></iframe>
</p><p>It's a hard film to recommend; you might be better off watching Rogue Trader instead.</p><p><h2>David James Roach</h2></p><p>Another absconder that was eventually caught was the Standard Chartered robber.</p><p>In 2016, Canadian David James Roach robbed the Holland Village Branch of Standard Chartered Bank, making off with S$30,450 in cash.</p><iframe class='post-embed title='Terrorist, tutor, trader, & thief: 4 attempted escapees from S'pore law' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2021/07/david-roach-stanchart-robber-sentenced/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p>He had handed the bank teller a note telling her, "This is a robbery, give me money, don't call the police, I have a weapon."</p><p>But in truth, all he had done was tuck his hand into an empty sling bag, and pretended that he had kept his weapon there.</p><p>Having robbed the bank at 11 am, by 2.40 pm the same day Roach was on an AirAsia flight to Bangkok.</p><p>But he was arrested upon arrival in Bangkok, not for the robbery, but for bringing more than US$20,000 in cash in Singapore currency, a restricted good.</p><p>Thai authorities declined to extradite him to Singapore, instead deciding to jail him for 14 months, after which they deported him to Canada.</p><p>But his route back to Canada took him through the United Kingdom, where he was further detained by UK police who agreed to return him to Singapore, but on the condition that the Singapore government promised not to cane Roach.</p><p>Roach eventually pled guilty to one charge of robbery and another of transferring criminal proceeds out of Singapore, and was sentenced to five years' imprisonment and six strokes of the cane.</p><p>He was granted <a href="https://www.mha.gov.sg/media-room/newsroom/singapore-government-fulfills-assurance-given-to-uk-government-for-extradition-of-david-james-roach/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">clemency</a> in 2021 by then-president Halimah Yacob regarding his caning sentence, in order to fulfil the assurances given to the UK government that allowed Roach’s return.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>2 people on PMD speeding in KPE triggers speed cam flash, LTA seizes device 3 days later</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/pmd-speed-kpe-seized/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-14T16:25:16</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Belmont Lay ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/pmd-speed-kpe-seized/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ Busted. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/kpe-pmd-caught.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>The Land Transport Authority (LTA) seized a personal mobility device (PMD) that was caught on camera speeding in the Kallang–Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE).</p><p>Two people were seen riding the PMD.</p>
<p>In a Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WeKeepYourWorldMoving/posts/pfbid0J2rqtECGK5JnLzfC6H6xcQpBsM9UGUPRKAxWh5togab7duwEBV2GXorL9aF127YNl" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">post</a> on Aug. 13, LTA wrote: "The device was seized within 3 days of the incident. Investigations are ongoing."</p><p><h2>Triggered KPE speed camera</h2></p><p>Dashcam footage shared by SG Road Vigilante <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1329651182665602" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">showed</a> two persons riding the PMD as it overtook several vehicles in an expressway tunnel.</p><p>The incident apparently occurred at around 7:15pm on Jul. 12.</p><p>PMDs are not allowed on all roads in Singapore.</p><p>A flash of light was also caught on video when the PMD riders negotiated a bend.</p><p><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/kpe-pmd.gif" alt="" width="800" height="450" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1165386" /></p><p>This was likely in response to beating the speed limit of 70kmh to 80kmh in the tunnel.</p><p>The PMD, which appeared to lack a registration plate, was then seen approaching the south-bound Airport Road exit.</p><p>Motorised PMDs are to have a maximum speed limit of 25kmh.</p><p>All registered PMDs must display an LTA-issued registration mark at the front or sides of the device.</p><p>LTA also said its officers spotted 310 offences and impounded 100 non-compliant devices during various enforcement operations targeting errant cyclists and device users last month.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/lta-pmd-seized.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="1350" class="size-full wp-image-1165390" /> LTA
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</figure>
</p></p> ]]>
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                    <post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1165379</post-id>
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                    <title>M'sian mosque caretaker & cleaner fined S$1,565 each for trying to have sex in mortuary room</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/mosque-cleaner-sex-mortuary-room/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-14T15:51:24</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Izza Sofia ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/mosque-cleaner-sex-mortuary-room/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ "You are lucky you did not end up as corpses while committing the act." ]]>
                    </description>

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                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/Untitled-design-9-2.png"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>A former mosque caretaker and a cleaner in Malaysia have been fined RM5,000 (S$1,565) each by the Melaka Syariah High Court after pleading guilty to attempting to have illicit sex in a mosque's mortuary room.</p><p>Mohd Rafi Abu Samah, 48, a widower with four children, and Norhaslinda Hashim, 51, a married mother of eight, will each serve 18 months' jail if they fail to pay, according to <a href="https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/08/13/morbid-sex-at-mosque-mortuary-lands-couple-with-rm5000-fine-each" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Star</em></a>.</p>
<p><h2>"You could have been washed there straight away"</h2></p><p>Judge Mawardi Che Man deemed the offence particularly serious due to its location in the mosque’s mortuary room, which is used to prepare the deceased for burial.</p><p>He said before passing sentence: "You are lucky you did not end up as corpses while committing the act. Otherwise, you could have been washed there straight away."</p><p>He noted that while the mortuary room is separate from the main prayer hall, it remains within the mosque grounds.</p><p>He said: "This is where the deceased undergo their final cleansing before burial. Instead, a grave sin was committed there."</p><p>According to <a href="https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/791892/berita/semasa/tok-siak-dan-cleaner-mengaku-salah-cuba-berzina-dalam-bilik-jenazah" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Sinar Harian</em></a>, the judge spent close to 30 minutes admonishing the pair.</p><p>He also told them that while adultery can be punishable by stoning under Islamic law, Malaysia’s syariah legal system is “takzir” in nature, with punishments aimed at prevention and education.</p><p><h2>The charge</h2></p><p>The court heard that the pair had engaged in illicit sexual acts several times in the mortuary room of Masjid Al-Ibadah in Kampung Bukit Piatu between Jan. and Apr., <em>The Star</em> reported.</p><p>Despite the multiple incidents, prosecutors filed only one charge against each of them based on the evidence available.</p><p>The charge related to an incident between 8am and noon on an unspecified date in Apr., when the pair allegedly attempted to have illicit sexual intercourse despite not being legally married to each other under Islamic law.</p><p><h2>How the case came to light</h2></p><p>The pair were handed over to the Melaka Islamic Religious Department’s enforcement division at around 4:30pm on Jun. 4, after police received a report alleging rape.</p><p>Police investigations later found that the acts were consensual and had taken place on multiple occasions.</p><p><h2>Mitigation and sentencing</h2></p><p>Melaka Chief Syarie Prosecutor Wan Mahyuddin Wan Muhammad, assisted by syarie prosecutor Radzwan Abdullah, called for a deterrent sentence, citing the sanctity of the location and the positions both held at the mosque.</p><p><em>Sinar Harian</em> reported that in mitigation, the pair's lawyer Muhammad Ammar Yaser Ahmad Nazri asked the court to take into account that both had pleaded guilty voluntarily and understood the consequences.</p><p>The court heard Mohd Rafi had no income besides his allowance as a mosque committee member, and resigned once the matter became public.</p><p>Norhaslinda has been married for nearly 30 years and earns about RM50 (S$15.66) a day at a restaurant, on top of RM520 (S$162.85) a month as a part-time cleaner at the mosque.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>Indonesian woman, 32, jailed 8.5 years in S'pore for cheating victims of over S$1.9 million, started out selling Taylor Swift tickets</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/indonesian-woman-32-jailed-taylor-swift-tickets/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-14T15:39:49</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Izza Sofia ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/indonesian-woman-32-jailed-taylor-swift-tickets/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ She later moved on to an investment scheme involving discounted flight tickets and luxury bags. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/indonesian-woman-scammer.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>An Indonesian woman, who began by selling Taylor Swift concert tickets, went on to cheat victims of more than S$1.9 million.</p><p>In total, she was given 39 charges, according to court documents.</p>
<p>Nila Anggraini Citra Sejati, 32, was sentenced to 8.5 years on cheating charges, among others. </p><p>She faced 11 charges with 28 charges taken into consideration during sentencing.</p><p><h2>Concert tickets and holidays</h2></p><p>The offences began in 2023. </p><p>She used her travel booking businesses, Argo Sejati Corporation and Paul Sejati Corporation, to run her scheme.</p><p>There were two types of scams: An e-commerce scam, where victims thought they were making real purchases, and a second scam where victims invested in her company hoping for returns with promises to nearly double their money.</p><p>She essentially ran a Ponzi scheme, where she used money from later investors to pay earlier ones, and also enriched herself by paying off debt and buying luxury goods.</p><p>Nila told victims she could get them flight tickets, hotel bookings and cruise tickets at preferential rates, and that she had Taylor Swift concert tickets for sale.</p><p>Victims transferred money to her bank accounts thinking they were paying for actual travel arrangements or tickets.</p><p>To make the ticket sales look legitimate, she sent victims forged emails made to appear as though they had come from Ticketmaster.</p><p>In one case, a forged screenshot of a Ticketmaster email was sent instead.</p><p>She would also make genuine bookings, but make partial payment, leading to cancellations.</p><p>The victim who suffered the most losses in this phase lost S$80,285 across 21 occasions between September and October 2023, after being led to believe Nila could arrange discounted flights, cruise tickets and hotel bookings.</p><p>Another lost S$21,744 across 12 occasions between August and October 2023 over flight tickets and hotel bookings.</p><p><h2>Investment scheme</h2></p><p>In 2024, Nila began telling victims she could obtain discounted flight tickets through legitimate commercial arrangements, and that they could earn returns by putting money into her operation.</p><p>In one case, luxury bags were added to the offer.</p><p>The amounts cheated became far larger.</p><p>One victim transferred S$606,800 across 17 occasions between May and October 2024.</p><p>Another victim transferred S$344,855 across two occasions in August 2024, believing he would see returns from investing in her discounted flights and luxury bags business model.</p><p>Separately, she dishonestly misappropriated S$25,500 that had been entrusted to her.</p><p>Most of the victims did not receive restitution. </p><p>Her victims included friends and their partners, ordinary travel customers, concertgoers, as well as men she dated.</p><p>One of the victims incurred debts that could not be paid off even after liquidating assets and working for more than one-and-a-half decades.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>S'pore man, 27, saved 3 lives by donating organs, remembered 1 year after passing</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/nathaniel-tan-remembered-organ-donation-appreciation-letter/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-14T15:32:39</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Khine Zin Htet ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/nathaniel-tan-remembered-organ-donation-appreciation-letter/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ Tokens of appreciation. ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/Article-Cover-Pic-2000-x-1050-2026-08-14T123312.328.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>One year after the sudden passing of her beloved only son, a mother in Singapore was surprised to receive a call from the National Organ Transplant Unit.</p><p>They wanted to send some tokens of appreciation on behalf of the recipients of her son's organ donation, Queenie Tan told <em>Mothership</em> on Aug. 14.</p>
<p>Her son, 27-year-old Nathaniel Zachariah Tan, passed away on Aug. 12, 2025, from a rare brain condition.</p><p>In a final act of selflessness, he donated his kidneys, liver and iliac arteries.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 1536px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-14-at-12.01.20-2.jpeg" alt="" width="1536" height="2048" class="size-full wp-image-1165358" /> Photo courtesy of Queenie Tan
  </figcaption>
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</p><iframe class='post-embed title='S'pore man, 27, saved 3 lives by donating organs, remembered 1 year after passing' style='min-height: 350px;' clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);' src='/2025/08/nathaniel-zachariah-tan/embed/' width='600' frameborder='0' marginwidth='0' marginheight='0' scrolling='no'></iframe><p><h2>A call one year on</h2></p><p>The call from the National Organ Transplant Unit came as a pleasant surprise for Tan, who said the past year had been a difficult period of grief for her.</p><p>"I thought they were so kind and so good to want to send their appreciation," she told <em>Mothership</em>.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 2048px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-14-at-12.01.21-1.jpeg" alt="" width="2048" height="1536" class="size-full wp-image-1165360" /> Photo courtesy of Queenie Tan
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p>Tan said the organisation reached out about a week before the anniversary of Nathaniel's passing.</p><p>Among the gifts was a thank-you note, which specified the patients who were saved by Nathaniel's donation.</p><p>Nathaniel's liver went to a 64-year-old man who was diagnosed with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis with hepatocellular carcinoma.</p><p>Meanwhile, each of his kidneys went to a 52-year-old woman and a 35-year-old woman, who were both diagnosed with chronic glomerulonephritis.</p><p>Additionally, his donated iliac vessels are stored in the bank and are said to help liver patients during their surgeries.</p><p>The recipients can now spend more quality time with their loved ones because of Nathaniel's donation, the organisation wrote.</p><p>They also sent Tan a medallion, a jar of origami stars folded by secondary school students across Singapore, and a certificate of appreciation to honour Nathaniel's selfless act.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 1536px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-14-at-12.01.20-1.jpeg" alt="" width="1536" height="2048" class="size-full wp-image-1165357" /> Photo courtesy of Queenie Tan
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p><h2>Tokens of appreciation</h2></p><p>Tan shared that this was her first time hearing about those who benefited from her son's donation.</p><p>"At that time, I did think about who would end up getting his organs, but after that, I think there is no need to think and worry because he is definitely saving lives. Someone will have a second chance, but we just did not know who it was," she said.</p><p>Reading the note and learning more about the impact her son made led her to realise that "a part of him still lives on", she said.</p><p>"I was surprised that one year later, there were still people thinking of him," she shared.</p><p>After receiving the tokens, Tan headed down to Nathaniel's final resting place at Woodlands Memorial on Aug. 10 to leave them there.</p><p>She also took out 27 stars from the jar to signify his age at the time of his passing.</p><p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 1536px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-14-at-12.01.21.jpeg" alt="" width="1536" height="2048" class="size-full wp-image-1165359" /> Photo courtesy of Queenie Tan
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p><h2>A year of grief and counting</h2></p><p>On Nathaniel's decision to donate his organs, Tan said it was a wish that his fiancée, Cheryl Lim, had relayed to her.</p><p>It did not come as a surprise to Tan, as she knew her son was a good-natured, loving man who always helped those in need.</p><p>A year on, Tan still sees her son everywhere she goes.</p><p>She would be reminded of Nathaniel whenever she saw students wearing his alma mater's uniform or took part in church activities.</p><p>She felt his absence during family dinners though.</p><p>The letter and tokens of appreciation from those who carried a part of Nathaniel were a timely reminder of the impact he had made.</p><p>"The next thing I have to do is to live every day meaningfully, until the day I meet him," she said.</p></p> ]]>
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                    <title>US man, 23, gatecrashes alleged scam call centres in India with SpongeBob SquarePants & Tung Tung Tung Sahur mascots</title>
                    <link>https://mothership.sg/2026/08/man-raids-scam-call-centres-india-spongebob-tung-tung-tung-sahur/</link>
                    <pubDate>2026-08-14T14:50:54</pubDate>


                    <dc:creator>
                        <![CDATA[ Rafael See Toh ]]>
                    </dc:creator>


                    <guid isPermaLink="false">https://mothership.sg/2026/08/man-raids-scam-call-centres-india-spongebob-tung-tung-tung-sahur/</guid>
                    <description>
                        <![CDATA[ “Today we raid call centres in India.” ]]>
                    </description>

                    <content:encoded>
                        <![CDATA[ <img class="type:primaryImage" src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/spongebob-raid-india-scam-call-centre.jpg"/> <p><a href="https://bit.ly/3qgqzHg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/07/telegram-button.png" alt="Telegram" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872229" /></a></p><p><a href="https://bit.ly/3KjTj94" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2023/08/wa-button.png" alt="Whatsapp" width="700" height="73" class="aligncenter wp-image-872230" /></a></p><p>A 23-year-old American man apparently “raided” alleged scam call centres in India.</p><p>He was accompanied by people dressed as “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Tung Tung Tung Sahur”, an AI brainrot character.</p>
<p><figure id="attachment" aria-describedby="caption-attachment" style="width: 1334px" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
  <figcaption id="caption-attachment-468423" class="wp-caption-text">
    <img src="https://static.mothership.sg/1/2026/08/tung-tung-tung-sahur-raid-india-scam-call-centre.jpg" alt="" width="1334" height="1426" class="size-full wp-image-1165353" /> Photos from iamjustinho/ Instagram
  </figcaption>
</figure>
</p><p><h2>SpongeBob SquarePants</h2></p><p>In an Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db3SWhpB_AA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">video</a>, Justin Ho, a content creator, documented and led the raid in Delhi, India.</p><p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db3SWhpB_AA/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"></p><p><div style="padding: 16px;"></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db3SWhpB_AA/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> </a></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></p><p></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div></p><p><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewbox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div></p><p><div style="padding-top: 8px;"></p><p><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"></p><p><div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="margin-left: 8px;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div></p><p><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="margin-left: auto;"></p><p><div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div></p><p><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></p><p></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></p><p></div></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db3SWhpB_AA/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A post shared by Justin Ho (@iamjustinho)</a></p></p><p></div></p></blockquote></p><p><script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p><p>The video has 4.6 million views as of writing.</p><p>People appeared as “SpongeBob SquarePants” mascots and were seen crowding around and dancing at the alleged call centre.</p><p>People in the office were seen recording the moment as it unfolded.</p><p>The SpongeBob mascots also appeared to be dry humping the alleged employees and Ho at one point.</p><p>Security guards attempted to remove the mascots from the office and were seen using a stick to beat the SpongeBob mascots.</p><p>However, they appeared to be overwhelmed and the cushion in the costumes absorbed the physical assaults.</p><p>According to <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/american-mans-bizarre-raid-on-delhi-scam-call-centre-leaves-guards-helpless-viral-video-101786434067726.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Hindustan Times</em></a>, Ho said the raid occurred on Aug. 7.</p><p>He also claimed that he “got information from inside sources” that the premises was used as a scam call centre.</p><p>“Everyone was scared when we first showed up. Then they started laughing,” he said.</p><p>Ho has since left India and is currently in Thailand.</p><p><h2>Tung Tung Tung Sahur</h2></p><p>In another Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db_Jq6LBLB0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">video</a>, Ho was seen leading and documenting a raid on another alleged scam call centre in India, with people dressed as "Tung Tung Tung Sahur".</p><p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db_Jq6LBLB0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);"></p><p><div style="padding: 16px;"></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db_Jq6LBLB0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> </a></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></p><p></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div></p><p><div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewbox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div></p><p><div style="padding-top: 8px;"></p><p><div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"></p><p><div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="margin-left: 8px;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div></p><p><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="margin-left: auto;"></p><p><div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div></p><p><div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></p><p></div></p><p></div></p><p><div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div></p><p><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></p><p></div></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db_Jq6LBLB0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A post shared by Justin Ho (@iamjustinho)</a></p></p><p></div></p></blockquote></p><p><script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p><p>The video has 296,000 views as of writing.</p><p>The mascots were armed with sticks.</p><p>The alleged scam centre employees appeared to be amused by the antics and even recorded the incident.</p><p>At one point, Ho took out a packet of curry rice, and the group remained rowdy in the office.</p><p>The video ended with the mascots rushing out of the office given that “the police is coming”.</p></p> ]]>
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