Filipino jailed 2 weeks in Singapore for scamming people, molesting teen
SINGAPORE – A 20-year-old Filipino was jailed for two weeks on Wednesday for scamming people and molesting a 16-year-old girl.
The court heard that Neil Christian Alejandro Casiano went to Orchard Road on Nov 9 this year to collect donations from passers-by.
The Filipino, who arrived in Singapore on a social visit pass on Oct 27 this year, claimed to be collecting the money on behalf of Childhope Asia, which is based in the Philippines.
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He had printed out two donor cards, two donor lists, and a volunteer identification card bearing his name and photograph on Nov 8.
The next day, at about 8pm, he stopped a 16-year-old girl outside Ngee Ann City. He showed her the fake Childhope Asia volunteer card and claimed that he was collecting money to help needy children.
He asked her to donate $10. When she declined, Neil took her aside and started to preach to her about religion.
After she donated $2, he asked her to write her name and sign on the donor list.
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Then, at his request, the girl took a photo of them together using her mobile phone.
Suddenly, Neil hugged her from the side and brought his face very close to hers.
The girl managed to push him aside and left. She later related the incident to her mother and they reported it to the police.
Neil was arrested outside Ngee Ann City the same day.
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He pleaded guilty to a charge of cheating and a count of outrage of modesty.
Another charge of outrage of modesty was taken into consideration during sentencing.
Neil admitted to holding both the girl’s hands and kissing her right hand.
In all, he collected $70 from scammed victims. The money was for Neil’s personal use.
In mitigation, Neil told the court that he was remorseful. He said he would like to go back home as soon as possible as his father died last Monday.
For cheating, he could have been jailed for up to three years and fined. For using criminal force to outrage he modesty of a person, he could have been jailed for up to two years, or fined, caned, or handed any combination of such punishment.
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