SINGAPORE, May 7 — A 24-year-old Malaysian man, who is believed to be part of a syndicate that went around cheating the elderly in different estates by posing as a representative of the Housing and Development Board, was charged yesterday.

Lee Zhen Ning allegedly got three senior citizens living in different parts of Singapore to hand him sums ranging from S$20 (RM54) to S$300 as deposits for repair works.

His three alleged offences took place between May and August last year. The victims, aged 62 to 80, cannot be named because of a court order.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Eunice Lim told the court that Lee is believed to be part of a Singapore-Malaysia syndicate. Lee has no roots in Singapore and came here to commit offences, she said. Court documents, however, did not state who Lee allegedly worked with.

His case will be mentioned again on June 3. If convicted of cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property, Lee could be jailed up to 10 years and fined. — TODAY