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