Singapore faith leader jailed for swindling, abusing followers

0
41
Singapore faith leader jailed for swindling, abusing followers

A Singaporean faith leader was jailed for 10 years on Wednesday for swindling millions of dollars from her followers and using violent punishments to discipline those who disobeyed her, local media reported.

Woo May Hoe was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison, according to Singapore-based Channel NewsAsia, a rare case of cult-like crime in the wealthy financial hub.

Woo convinced some 30 followers into believing she was a deity and defrauded them of more than $10 million over several years, according to court documents.

Woo had told her followers that their payments would be used for getting rid of their “bad karma”.

They were told the funds were being sent to a spiritual figure in India called Sri Sakthi Narayani Amma or financing the construction of new temples, the court documents said.

She punished followers if they disobeyed her by caning them, forcing them to eat faeces or pulling their teeth out with pliers.

Health officials found she had paranoid schizophrenia at the time of her offences but that she was aware of the illegal nature of her acts, according to CNA.

“The accused’s actions have completely shattered the lives of her followers, leaving them in dire financial circumstances and causing permanent physical disability to some,” the prosecutors said in their sentencing submissions to the court.

In 2020, Singapore police arrested 21 local chapter members of South Korea’s Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

They were detained for being members of an unlawful society.

Under Singapore law, anyone convicted of being a member of an unlawful society can be jailed for up to three years as well as be fined up to $3,700.

AFP

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.

Contact: [email protected]

Get every Post-UTM, Admission, List, JAMB, WAEC, NECO, and Schools Resumption Date, Breaking News on your WhatsApp Status Now - To join, click the links below.
Join Television Nigerian Whatsapp Now
Join Television Nigerian Facebook Now
Join Television Nigerian Twitter Now
Join Television Nigerian YouTUbe Now

This is another opportunity to own a faster-loading website to expand your business and take it digitally online. Meet the best website designer/master coder for any kind of website. Contact them now it is affordable Chat now: 09077260922

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here