Cunning Con: Singaporean Woman Loses Touch 'n Go Card to Mysterious Thief at JB Customs!

A shocking incident unfolded recently at the Johor Bahru customs checkpoint, where a Singaporean driver became a victim of a clever ruse involving a Touch 'n Go card. The unsuspecting woman, identified only as Eileen, lent her card—containing RM150 (approximately S$45)—to a stranger, only to have the woman vanish into thin air with her property.

The incident took place on December 11. Eileen recounted her experience, stating, "I was waiting at the second last counter when I noticed a car stopping at the last counter for a while, then reversing and waiting." This seemingly ordinary situation took a turn for the worse when a woman approached her, requesting to borrow her Touch 'n Go card.

Eileen shared dashcam footage that captures the transaction. The woman, dressed in a white tank top and holding RM20 in her hands, seemed harmless as she approached Eileen. However, as Eileen expected a return of her card, the woman instead took off with it while she continued to wait for her passport to be stamped.

“I stood there waiting for her to return my card, but she just walked away as if everything was normal,” Eileen recalled. She further noted that she felt targeted, believing the woman had specifically been scouting for someone alone to approach. “I was alone, and she didn’t bother to ask anyone else even though there were other cars behind me,” she remarked.

In a rather unsettling twist, she noted how the woman cleverly avoided the dashcam's line of sight while chatting with her. "It was almost as if she had planned it out perfectly," Eileen stated. "Now, that RM150 has turned into a lesson learned the hard way."

This alarming event raises questions about safety at busy customs checkpoints and serves as a cautionary tale for travelers. As petty thefts become more sophisticated, individuals should remain vigilant, especially when approached by strangers.

So, what can you do to protect yourself on your travels? Always be cautious when lending items to strangers, especially at border crossings. Keeping your belongings secure and being aware of your surroundings can help prevent unfortunate incidents like Eileen’s.

Travelers are urged to share their experiences as authorities continue to remind everyone to be alert and cautious when crossing borders.