Man who cheated victims of over $154k gets 22 months' jail

A man cheated seven people of more than $154,000 in total by different methods, including convincing at least two to take part in an "investment scheme" that did not exist.

- Shaffiq Alkhatib

Tee Wei Jie, 32, who was working as a personal assistant at a Paterson Hill condominium at the time of the offences, also misappropriated another $9,200 from one of his victims.

On Nov 14, he was sentenced to 22 months' jail after he pleaded guilty to five counts of cheating involving more than $140,000. They involved five victims.

Three charges involving the remaining amount were considered during sentencing.

Tee, who committed his offences between 2020 and 2023, has since made more than $29,000 in restitution.

The Singaporean started his crime spree in October 2020, targeting his first victim, a brother of one of his friends.

Tee was aware that the 36-year-old man wanted to buy a Rolex watch. He offered to obtain one for him at a price of $12,980.

On Oct 17, 2020, the victim transferred the amount to Tee's bank account. Tee told him he would pass him the watch in six months' time, even though he had neither the means nor intention to get the timepiece for him.