Woman cheated out of $273,800 by man she met on social media, Filipino charged

A 41-year-old man was charged on Tuesday (Sept 19) for laundering parts of criminal proceeds from a scam victim amounting to at least $273,800.

The police received a report on Sunday that a woman was allegedly cheated by an unknown man whom she had gotten to know via social media.

She withdrew large sums of cash over different dates and on one of the occasions, she handed about $150,000 to the man.

Through extensive investigations and follow-ups, officers from Central Police Division arrested Filipino Mortel Virgilio Jr Marcial on the same day within five hours of the report.

The accessories purportedly used by Marcial in the commission of crime were seized as case exhibits.

Police did not disclose details about the scam.

Court documents stated that he allegedly received the $150,000 in cash from one Choo Swee Lee at a Bayshore Road condominium near Upper East Coast Road.

He is said to be involved in an arrangement with a man known only as Lucas.

The offence of money laundering carries an imprisonment term not exceeding 10 years, a fine not exceeding $500,000, or both.