Singaporean actor Laurence Pang, known for his roles in TV dramas like "Tanglin" and "Sunny Side Up," recently revealed he lost approximately $34,800 (1.5 million pesos) in a love scam.
The 78-year-old actor appeared on the popular Filipino public affairs program "Raffy Tulfo in Action" on January 17 to share his ordeal. Hosted by Senator Raffy Tulfo, the show helps individuals resolve their grievances.
Pang recounted meeting a woman named Mika on Pinalove, a Filipino dating website, in late 2024. Mika allegedly lured him into investing in a fraudulent online shopping mall, a fake version of the Japanese e-commerce platform Rakuten.
Despite initial skepticism, Pang was convinced by Mika's promises of high returns and invested a significant sum. He quickly realized he was unable to withdraw his capital and profits, a classic sign of a scam.
"She used her charms, let's put it this way," Pang admitted, acknowledging his vulnerability as an older man.
Pang stated he lost over $27,000 in cryptocurrency and that the woman's online persona appeared to be fabricated. He has since ceased communication with Mika.
The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group was invited to the show to discuss the modus operandi of these scammers, who often exploit the trust and emotions of their victims.
Senator Tulfo expressed his shame and offered to sponsor the remainder of Pang's stay in the Philippines as a gesture of apology.
Pang stated he would be leaving the Philippines on January 21.
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