Man charged for cheating 450 times; Friend gives him $2.4m for fake inheritance

For over three years, he allegedly asked his friend for money.

He claimed he needed to pay various fees so he could secure an inheritance worth hundreds of millions that had been seized by the government.

His friend allegedly bought his story and forked out between $300 and $33,000 each time.

By August this year, Don Brendan Robert, 46, a Singaporean, had allegedly conned his friend of about $2.36 million.

Yesterday, Don appeared in court and was charged with cheating Mr Alan Lye Cher Kang on 450 occasions.

Don, who is reportedly unemployed, allegedly started asking his friend for money in late August 2011, court papers said.

Don then allegedly told Mr Lye, who is in his 40s, that he was the beneficiary of the seized inheritance.

He also allegedly claimed he needed money to pay lawyer fees for the release of the inheritance monies.

Mr Lye allegedly believed him and lent him $1,970.

But Don did not stop there and, over the next three years, he allegedly continued to cook up reasons to con his friend of more money.

He told his friend in October 2012 that the inheritance was worth between $250 million and $500 million, court papers said.

He always claimed he needed money to pay insurance companies, banks, tax deposits to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, Cisco and even for the rental of a room at Parliament House.

For example, he allegedly told Mr Lye on Sept 17, 2011, that he needed a loan to engage the Commissioner of Oaths for the release of his inheritance.

Mr Lye then handed over $2,000.

Another story he allegedly came up with was that he needed money to open the safe at the Parliament House on May 22 this year.

Again, Mr Lye handed over $500.

Don even claimed he needed to pay a "stand down fee" to a New York court on Jan 31 last year. Mr Lye passed him $6,250 on this occasion.

The amounts that Mr Lye handed over to Don were mostly in the thousands.

The highest amount was $33,000 ­- which was paid after Don had allegedly told his friend he needed money to pay transfer fees to OCBC in September 2012.

Don, who is stout and balding, showed no emotion when the charges were read to him in court, reported The Straits Times Online.

The report added that his lawyer, Mr Irving Choh, sought an adjournment to make representation.

When asked by District Judge Eddy Tham, Deputy Public Prosecutor Grace Goh said the money went to fund Don's lifestyle.

She added that he did not make restitution of the money, reported The Straits Times Online.

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for Dec 18.

If found guilty, Don faces up to 10 years' jail and a fine for each charge.