Singaporeans report Batam robbery

Singaporeans report Batam robbery

SINGAPORE: A group of Singapore men who went to the island of Batam for casino gambling were robbed within minutes of arriving, it was reported on Saturday.

The bandits who took S$20,000 (US$11,764) were said to be five members of the casino's security staff, The Straits Times said.

When the Indonesians met the Singapore group at the Waterfront City pier, they confiscated the tourists' passports and herded them into a waiting van, according to businessman Henry Wong.

He and a friend became suspicious and bolted after tricking the Indonesians into letting them go to the toilet, he told the newspaper.

The other seven were taken to an office next to the casino where they had to remove their shirts and turn over their belongings. Five of them were released and alerted Singapore police.

A Batam police spokesman said an investigation was under way.

-- DPA