A Singaporean man gained a woman’s trust after befriending her on online marketplace Carousell — even though he never delivered the items she paid for.
Instead, he went on to cheat her of more than S$268,000 (RM938,000) across 57 occasions.
Thevendran Elan Goven, 31, committed the offences over seven months after lying to the 25-year-old victim that he needed money to cover expenses such as dental bills and court matters.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Suriya Prakash said: “He did not stop cheating the victim even after all her money had been exhausted.”
At one point, the woman even gave him S$26,000 (RM91,000) from her father’s bank account without her father’s consent.
Court Proceedings
Thevendran earlier pleaded guilty to one count of cheating involving more than S$246,000 (RM861,000). He was initially scheduled to be sentenced on Sept 2 but will now return to court on Oct 23 for sentencing.
Two other charges, involving the remaining amount, will be considered then.
How the Scam Began
On July 24, 2021, Thevendran posted a Carousell listing for a PlayStation 4. The victim responded and transferred him S$150 (RM525) as a deposit.
Three days later, he asked for the remaining S$150 (RM525) and an additional S$49 (RM170) for games. She complied, paying S$199 (RM695) in total, but never received the console.
Later, he discovered she had received money from insurance and CPF payouts following her mother’s death. Between August and December 2021, he scammed her of more than S$246,000 (RM861,000) over 48 transactions.
By January 2022, he had taken nearly S$22,000 (RM77,000) more across nine occasions.
Money Used for Gambling Debts
Thevendran used the funds to pay for personal expenses and settle gambling debts. He sometimes promised to repay her by certain dates, but only returned S$5,000 (RM17,500) between November 2021 and February 2022.
The scam came to light when the victim’s father noticed missing funds and discovered his daughter had transferred S$26,000 (RM91,000) to Thevendran.
Restitution
Thevendran was charged in 2023. In July 2024, he repaid S$24,000 (RM84,000), followed by another S$80,000 (RM280,000) in June 2025.
For each count of cheating, an offender faces up to 10 years in jail and a fine.
