British High Commission Issues Warning Over Potential Singapore Bottom Pinching Scam

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British High Commission Issues Warning Over Potential Bottom Pinching Scam

Published by Andrew Drummond

British tourists heading for Singapore have been warned to avoid situations in which they can be scammed and threatened with a thrashing with a rattan cane for molesting women.

A confusing poster. Is the molester in love?

See his eye - or is he in lust? - look at his mouth.

Following the arrest of 34-yr-old Briton Austin Cowburn, from Manchester, who was picked up in the city’s Clarke Quay bar and restaurant area after allegedly pinching a girl in the bottom in a night-club there, warnings have been put out not only by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, but also on internet forums.

'A moment of pleasure - a lifetime of regret'

Tourists are reminded they can be jailed, fined and caned for little more than touching a woman’s thigh in an inappropriate way, under a heavily publicized ‘One Moment of Pleasure – A Lifetime of Regret’ Singapore government campaign.

Protected by the act are also Thai, Indonesian, Filipina, and even West African prostitutes, who have flooded to the wealthy island state, to ply their trade, seemingly with some sort of approval, as nothing bypasses the authorities in Singapore.

Abuse of the well-meaning laws could leave men open to blackmail and extortion. Such laws to protect women exist in most civilized countries. But Singapore’s style is to issue the warning then rigorously prosecute.

'False claims are thought to exist' - FCO

The British High Commission now says on its website: “Travellers are advised to avoid any action that could be interpreted as molestation. Scams involving false claims of molest are thought to exist.”

The warning is couched in diplomatic terms but it is as strong as can be made by the High Commission acting in a ‘host’ country.

On the ‘Travel Safety Hub’ of one website the author writes: ‘This is how it works. Travelling businessman cuts loose at a nightclub, has a few drinks too many, and is approached by a local woman. She lays on the charm, and the man, inevitably, falls for it. His hands get a little too bold, and she accuses him [more...]

Full story: http://www.andrew-drummond.com/view-story.php?sid=426

-- andrew-drummond.com 2011-08-08