Singapore – A Filipina working in Singapore lost S$15,120 after trusting a man who presented himself as a property agent named Glenn Teo. He offered her a two-bedroom condominium unit on Paya Lebar Road. More than a year later, she is speaking up so other OFWs don’t make the same costly mistake.
Pamela Alliana (@pamsesa) shared her story via TikTok on October 17. She described the May 2025 incident as one of the darkest periods of her life. She said the emotional toll hurt as much as the money she lost.
How the Scam Unfolded
Pamela needed a residential address to support her son’s Student’s Pass and her nanny’s Work Permit. She found a rental listing on Facebook and contacted the poster through WhatsApp.
The man told her the unit was no longer available. He then offered another one, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo on Paya Lebar Road. She viewed the unit twice before agreeing to a tenancy arrangement.
As the main tenant, she transferred S$8,400 to cover two months’ deposit and one month’s rent. Soon after, she was asked for S$3,360 more, supposedly a security deposit required by the developer and refundable once she moved in. Another S$3,360 followed, this time for a “government tax filing” that he promised to return the next day.
Each request came with documents that looked official. Then the agent stopped replying. Pamela filed a police report in June 2025, but she has not recovered any of her money.
Red Flags She Missed
Pamela admitted it was her first time renting as a main tenant. She trusted the process and followed instructions, hoping the extra payments would be refunded.
Looking back, several warning signs stand out. The original listing suddenly became “unavailable.” Fees kept piling up with promises of quick refunds. Her own eagerness to move in pushed her to pay without checking.
“Every dollar represented my time, my sacrifices, and the countless hours I spent working overseas for my family,” she wrote. She added that she had always seen Singapore as safe.
Tips to Avoid Rental Scams
Pamela shared these reminders for fellow tenants:
- Don’t rely only on Facebook listings and WhatsApp chats when renting.
- Verify the agent’s identity and registration, the landlord’s identity, and their right to lease the unit.
- Confirm the tenancy directly with the owner or through official details you find yourself.
- Be very careful with extra charges for “developer deposits,” taxes, or admin fees, especially when someone promises a fast refund.
- Don’t let urgency rush you into sending money.
- If something feels off, pause and verify first.
For kababayans renting in Singapore, her story is a reminder that a few minutes of checking can protect money you worked hard to earn.