A woman who extorted money from a man she met online by lying that she was underage and threatening to report him was sentenced to 11 months’ jail on Monday (Sep 15).
Chang Wai Chain, now 24, pleaded guilty to one count of cheating. Prosecutors noted that her conduct could have constituted extortion had the charge not been amended.
The Online Connection
According to CNA, Chang had been using the Sugarbook platform — which connects “sugar daddies” and “sugar babies” — under the name “Jasmine”, identifying herself as a 23-year-old female.
The 51-year-old victim contacted her via Telegram, and they agreed to meet at his home for sex in exchange for S$400.
On Apr 4, 2024, Chang went to the victim’s residence. She had a soft drink and chatted briefly with him, before claiming she could not go through with sex as her period had started. The victim gave her S$150, instead of the agreed S$400, and no sexual acts took place.
The following night, Chang asked for more money, claiming she had lost the earlier payment and wanted funds for a party. The victim transferred her S$200 via PayNow.
When she later demanded additional money and the man refused, Chang pretended to be her own older brother. On Apr 8 and 9, she lied that she was only 17, and told the victim he had committed a crime by offering paid sex to a minor. She went on to threaten to expose him to the police and on social media unless he paid up. Fearful of being reported, the victim transferred S$3,000 to her, followed by several more payments over the next few days.
By Apr 11, 2024, the victim had transferred a total of S$8,100 to Chang. He eventually made a police report when he realised her demands would not stop.
During investigations, Chang lied repeatedly. She denied having agreed to sex for money and insisted she had asked for S$6,000 only because she felt taken advantage of.She also claimed falsely that a friend had sent the underage messages as a “joke” from her phone, a lie she repeated in six police statements between April and June 2024.
Chang later admitted she had spent the victim’s money on clothes, footwear, a bag, family meals, outings at a pub, and garlands for a friend working at a nightspot. Only S$800 remained in her account, which was handed to the victim as partial restitution.
The prosecution sought a jail term of 12½ to 15½ months, citing Chang’s premeditation and persistence.
Her defence asked for eight to 10 months, arguing that Chang was immature and gave in to temptation.
“This is a young lady who gave in to temptation. She was immature and simply thought it was easy money. It was a poor decision,” her lawyer said, stressing she was “not a hardened criminal”.
The court sentenced Chang to 11 months’ imprisonment.
Top right image via ShinMin
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