A 33-year-old Malaysian man pleaded guilty in Singapore on May 4, 2026, to one charge of mischief by fire for setting alight a flat belonging to an alleged scammer. [1]
Vellu Pillai P Sivakkumar admitted he was hired in late November 2023 after receiving a text message that offered S$2,500 to lock the unit's door and set it on fire, with a S$400 deposit. He initially refused, but later agreed after being promised payment, then received the deposit in an envelope from an unknown man and was given the target unit's details. [1]
The court heard that Sivakkumar was living in Johor Bahru and facing financial difficulties at the time. On Dec. 8, 2023, at about 4:25 a.m., he carried out the attack after siphoning petrol from his motorcycle into a water bottle and bringing a bicycle lock, umbrella and disguise. [1]
The victim was a 41-year-old Singaporean man who allegedly scammed several people and was under investigation for scamming offences. He lived in the flat with his wife, two children aged 3 and 9, his sister and his parents. [1]
Before the fire, the victim was in debt and had received threats from unidentified people who demanded repayment of lost money with interest. [1]
A second charge of wrongfully confining the unit's occupants will be taken into consideration for sentencing. [1]
Sivakkumar's plea came on May 4, 2026, and the case is now moving to sentencing, with the additional confinement charge to be considered by the court. [1]
