Whistling a cheery tune, I straightened my suit before stepping out of the lift on the 14th floor of an HDB block mainly occupied by the elderly. Fresh from completing yet another successful scam on the 11th floor, it was time for the next one. A sly smirk slowly appeared on my face as I strolled down the musty corridor, my broad frame towering over the small potted plants and the black and white slippers that littered the ground.
"Aha! My next target! This is getting too easy!" I thought, striding up to the nearest unit and rapping on the front door. The old and dusty door creaked open, revealing an innocent elderly lady.
"Good evening, Madam. I am John Tan from the Public Utilities Board," I flashed the fake identity card hanging from a lanyard around my neck. "It seems that you have not been paying for your monthly electricity bills, and there is a fine of $200."
Tilting her head, she frowned. "Are you really from the PUB?"
Haha! I was prepared for that question. I immediately whipped out a counterfeit document with the PUB logo and displayed it with pride. "Look here. You owe… and if you pay right on the spot, there is a 20% discount. But if you wait much longer, you will unfortunately have to pay double." In a serious tone, I tried to convince her that it was legitimate. To no surprise, the elderly lady was indeed a gullible one. She headed back inside to retrieve the cash.
Placing the bills in my hand, she apologised earnestly, "I am so sorry for doubting you. I just did not know how to pay online."
The smooth, blue $50 notes laid comfortably in my palm. I tried my best to hold back a sigh of relief as I thanked the old lady. With my head down, I thought to myself, "Yes! I succeeded once again!" as I made my way to my next target.
"Stop right there," a stern voice suddenly boomed across the corridor. I turned my head with uncertainty, only to see two po-faced officers in navy-blue glaring at me with arms crossed.
"Oh no…" I gulped. Swiftly, I turned my feet towards the staircase and sprinted to the other end of the corridor.
"After him!" I heard a distant voice command from afar. The police officers gave chase, bolting with determination to catch me.
The colour drained from my face as they caught up with me. "Oh no! The jig is up… "
Not long after, I was subdued. My pulse was beating as fast as lightning. "Cuff him!" were the last words I heard before I was arrested by the policemen. I resigned myself to my fate and was led by them to the waiting police car. The thought of being locked up behind bars made me quiver in my boots. Faced with the consequences of my actions, I regretted deceiving others for my own personal gain.
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