by Elena Chong
A FORMER television actor went on trial on Monday on three
charges of cheating three men of donations totalling more than
$260,000 in connection with a charity soccer match he organised two
years ago.
Lim Aik Seng, 45, better known as Lin Yisheng, is said to have
cheated Mr Sim Chin Song of $50,000 on June 1, 2007. He is also
similarly accused of cheating Mr Tang Keng Boon of $10,000 by
making him believe that the donation was meant for voluntary
welfare organisation Metta Welfare Association..
The third charge accuses him of inducing businessman Peh Kang
Lee into getting cash donations totalling $205,000 from several
people between March and June 2007 for Metta.
The prosecution's first witness, Mr Ho Ah Huat, 52, chief
executive officer of Scorpio East Holdings, testified that a
subsidiary of his company made a $10,000 donation to Celebrities
Holdings in July last year.
This was after his friend, Mr Peh, had informed him of a soccer
match to be played between Hongkong and Singapore celebrities with
the proceeds, after deduction of expenses, going to charity.
He later learnt from Mr Peh about some problem in the raising of
funds from a newspaper report. Mr Peh had lodged a police
report.
Lim, a Star Search finalist in 1998, has also a pending case of
failing to pay the salaries of his employees at his failed
business, Celebrities.
The hearing continues.
If convicted of cheating, he faces a jail term of up to seven
years and a fine on each charge.
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