Indonesian jailed for cheating

Indonesian jailed for cheating

SINGAPORE: An Indonesian national was jailed for 18 months for duping Singaporeans into believing he could predict winning lottery numbers by praying and performing a ritual, it was reported on Thursday.

Siswanto, 43, pleaded guilty to cheating.

His first victim was Hong Shyh Chang, 31, who was cheated out of S$21,000 (US$12,000) on July 27 last year. Siswanto performed the ritual at a hotel with the money in an envelope on the floor, the court heard.

While chanting, Siswanto asked Hong to take a shower. Siswanto said he was going out to get a drink, but did not return.

When Hong tore open the envelope he found blank pieces of paper. Hong intended to buy lottery tickets with the money.

When Siswanto tried to pull the same trick last month, he was caught substituting the envelope containing the money with another. -- DPA