Wife deceived her lover into bogus condo investments under husband’s instructions, court reveals.
A Singaporean woman and her husband have been sentenced to jail for orchestrating a fake property investment scam that defrauded the wife’s secret lover of S$220,000 over a fabricated condominium deal.
The Scam Behind the Affair
On July 24, 2025, Singapore’s District Court sentenced 48-year-old Felicia Tay to 25 months in jail and her husband, 50-year-old Eric Ong, to 28 months for cheating 48-year-old David Tan of S$220,000. Tan, Tay’s secret lover, believed he was investing in high-return condominium deals, which were entirely fictitious.
Ong, who once worked as a property agent, had instructed Tay to pitch the scam. Unbeknownst to him, Tay and Tan were engaged in an extramarital affair from 2014 to 2017. Tan trusted Tay deeply, unaware he was being manipulated until two years after the relationship ended.
Fake Deals, Real Consequences
From September to November 2015, Tay—under Ong’s guidance—convinced Tan to invest in seven luxury condo units at Residences @ Emerald Hill, claiming they were exclusive, discounted offers from developers. Tay said the properties would yield high returns within three months.
Six of the seven units did not exist, and the seventh was never available for sale. Ong provided Tay with real estate forms from an actual agent at OrangeTee, who was unaware his documents were being misused. Tay sent screenshots of filled forms to Tan to support the illusion.
Love, Lies, and IOUs
To maintain the ruse, Tay assured Tan of a S$1.7 million profit and eventually produced an “IOU” promising S$1.9 million, using Ong’s name. The document used Tan’s brother’s name, Kelvin Tan, to avoid revealing the affair. No returns were ever paid.
Tan’s suspicions grew in early 2016, but the truth only came to light in December 2019 when he verified the documents with OrangeTee. He filed a police report on December 12, 2019. Tay and Ong were arrested in June 2022.
Minimal Restitution, Maximum Betrayal
Despite the large sum, only S$10,000 was returned by Ong in October 2024. The court has ordered Ong to pay S$210,000 in compensation or serve an additional 105 days in jail if he fails to do so. Tay was not ordered to pay compensation, as she had acted under her husband’s direction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Kiera Yu described the crime as calculated and deceptive, emphasizing the elaborate methods used to mask the fraud. While Ong’s role was considered more culpable, Tay’s betrayal of trust was central to the scam’s success.
The case exposes a calculated fraud rooted in deception, betrayal, and manipulation of personal trust. It illustrates how financial crime can be disguised under emotional relationships and fake legitimacy. With over S$200,000 lost and minimal restitution recovered, the sentencing sends a clear message: exploiting trust for financial gain will be met with serious legal consequences in Singapore’s justice system.
Sources: CNA (2025) , Straits Time (2025)
Keywords: Felicia Tay Bee Ling, Eric Ong Chee Wei, Property Investment Scam, Singapore District Court, Residences At Emerald Hill, S$220000 Fraud, David Tan Victim
