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Singapore Teen Who Catfished Peer Gets 21 Months’ Probation for Cheating, Extortion

The judge prioritized rehabilitation after assessments found him suitable for either probation or reformative training.

Overview

  • The 18-year-old, who posed as a woman on Instagram, deceived a peer into a purported relationship and coerced degrading acts between February and December 2023.
  • He recorded video calls and used the clips to extort S$2,450 across five cash drop-offs, including at a Tampines Mall bookstore, sharing proceeds with another person.
  • He pleaded guilty to one count each of cheating and extortion, with two similar charges taken into consideration, while a gag order shields the identities and relationship details.
  • The court imposed a 10pm–6am curfew, 110 hours of community service, counselling as needed, and a S$5,000 parental bond, with a warning that breaches could trigger reformative training.
  • Prosecutors urged reformative training for deterrence, the defence cited remorse and a positive report, and police arrested the teen on June 10, 2024 after the victim reported the abuse on June 8.