'I blame myself for my stupidity'

A 57-year-old Singaporean housewife has become the latest victim of conmen running a scratch-and-win scam in Malaysia.

The woman, who wanted to be known only as Madam Tan, was first told by two men outside a Johor Baru shopping mall that that she had won prizes from a lucky draw. She was then told that she was eligible for a bigger draw, with prizes that included a car, but she first had to hand over cash.

She ended up parting with RM11,200 (S$4,600) and was given a few items she did not want, like a jade mattress, but she never received the prizes.

She says now: "I keep blaming myself for my stupidity."

A Singapore Police Force spokesman said there have been more than 20 such cases between last October and this February.