Victim Alleges Friend Misused Her Identity to Borrow Money
A 60-year-old woman in Singapore, identified only as Ms. Zhuo, claims she is being harassed by loan sharks after a friend allegedly used her identity to secure loans. The intimidation escalated recently when three funeral flower arrangements were sent to her husband’s music school and neighboring units in Jurong West.
Harassment Escalates with Funeral Arrangements
According to Shin Min Daily News, the flowers arrived late at night on July 8. Ms. Zhuo’s son discovered the first set outside the music school just past midnight. The arrangements bore a message reading “Rest In Peace” alongside Ms. Zhuo’s full name. CCTV footage later revealed they had been delivered around 10 p.m. the night before.
Additional arrangements were delivered the same day to a neighbor living downstairs and a beauty salon located above the school. The total cost of all three was approximately S$332, with individual prices listed at S$88 and S$122 on the florist’s website.
Delivery Made by Elderly Couple
CCTV footage showed an elderly couple delivering the flowers. Ms. Zhuo noted that they appeared confused, likely because there was no wake at the location, and repeatedly checked their phones for confirmation. Despite the odd nature of the delivery, the man took photographs before leaving, presumably as proof of completion.
Origin of the Conflict: Alleged Identity Theft
Ms. Zhuo traced the issue back to a friend named Ms. Lan, a 58-year-old former student at her husband’s music school. She alleges that years ago, she had shared a photo of her identity card with Ms. Lan to help her purchase health products. Without her knowledge, that identification was later used to borrow money from loan sharks.
Since last year, Ms. Zhuo has filed multiple police reports due to threatening messages and harassment. Although she shared the contact number of Ms. Lan’s sister with the loan sharks, the intimidation has persisted.
Relationship Severed, Mediation Attempt Fails
Attempts to resolve the matter with Ms. Lan have failed, Ms. Zhuo said. Both she and her husband reached out, but Ms. Lan claimed she was “very tired” and said, “I might as well die,” according to Ms. Zhuo. The two women later went through a session at the Community Mediation Centre, where Ms. Lan allegedly accused Ms. Zhuo of harassment. The judge, however, advised Ms. Lan to resolve the consequences of her actions.
Frustrated and feeling helpless, Ms. Zhuo has since cut all ties with her former friend.
No Concern for Safety, But Emotionally Exhausted
Although she stated she does not fear for her physical safety, Ms. Zhuo described feeling overwhelmed and emotionally drained. “I didn’t borrow the money and I can’t pay it back either,” she told the newspaper.
Police Reports Continue, Loan Sharks Unrelenting
The latest police report was filed after the funeral flower deliveries, which she saw as yet another form of intimidation. Despite alerting authorities and redirecting the loan sharks to the real borrower, the harassment shows no signs of letting up.
