True Crimes Of Asia

About True Crimes Of Asia

Synopsis: A 6-part series from April till September 2023, exploring recent real crimes that gripped, horrified and laid bare the issues that afflicted societies in Asia. Podcasters: Chang May Choon, Tan Tam Mei, Jean Iau, Linda Yulisman, Arlina Arshad, Yip Wai Yee and Walter Sim Produced and edited by: Fa'izah Sani, Teo Tong Kai, Hadyu Rahim and Eden Soh Executive Producers: Ernest Luis, Tan Tam Mei A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Publisher

The Straits Times

Category

news · true crime

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

18 Apr 2023

Latest episode

19 Jun 2025

Latest episodes

8 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Jun 2025

   S1E1: Explore The Straits Times’ podcasts

   Podcast editor Ernest Luis introduces The Straits Times' news commentary podcasts, highlighting their accessibility and the convenience they offer listeners who want to consume audio content while multitasking.

2. 

   25 Sept 2023

   S1E6: Japan: Killer prowled Twitter for the suicidal

   Journey into the darkest corners of the internet, where a deadly connection was forged in 140 characters or less. Synopsis (headphones recommended): A special edition 6-part series by The Straits Times in Singapore, exploring recent real crimes that gripped, horrified and laid bare the issues that afflicted societies in Asia. This is the sixth and final episode of True Crimes Of Asia, a special edition podcast series that started on April 25, 2023. Warning: This podcast is an audio documentary of a real crime case which may be troubling and upsetting to certain listeners. This episode specifically covers themes of suicide and details of death and traumatic sexual acts. Listener discretion is advised, and helplines for mental well-being are provided further below. Nine heads and 240 bones were found in a tiny apartment just outside Tokyo on Halloween in 2017, in one of Japan's most shocking crimes in history. Takahiro Shiraishi baited suicidal victims on Twitter who wanted to die but lacked the courage to end their own lives. He posed as an expert in hanging but his real motives were sex and money. Shiraishi has been sentenced to death – by hanging – and is now in a maximum-security prison. The case had sparked conversations about social media scrutiny and suicide in Japan. ST's Japan correspondent Walter Sim narrates this podcast. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:16 Shiraishi's motives and modus operandi 5:47 What led Shiraishi down this path 9:28 Shiraishi meets his first victim 16:43 Justice catches up with Shiraishi 22:19 Social implications of Shiraishi's crimes, and how not much has changed since then Interviews & narration by: Walter Sim Executive Producers: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg (mailto:ernest@sph.com.sg)) and Tan Tam Mei (tammei@sph.com.sg (mailto:tammei@sph.com.sg)) Podcast Producers: Eden Soh and Fa’izah Sani Voiceovers: Paxton Pang, Li Yi, Aqil Hamzah, Hadyu Rahim, David Sun, Edeh Soh, Mubin Saadat Copy editor: Choo Li Meng Reference for research: “Report: Nine Murders in Zama - Why were victims drawn to it?” by Tetsuya Shibui (『ルポ　座間９人殺害事件～被害者はなぜ引き寄せられたのか～』) MENTAL WELL-BEING Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours) Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444 (24 hours) /1-767 (24 hours) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928 Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788 Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1 COUNSELLING TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 TOUCH Care Line (for seniors, caregivers): 6804-6555 Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180 Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366 ONLINE RESOURCES mindline.sg eC2.sg tinklefriend.sg (http://www.tinklefriend.sg) chat.mentalhealth.sg (http://www.chat.mentalhealth.sg) carey.carecorner.org.sg (http://carey.carecorner.org.sg/) (for those aged 13 to 25) limitless.sg/talk (http://www.limitless.sg/talk) (for those aged 12 to 25) Aware’s Sexual Assault Care Centre: 6779-0282 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm) Follow ST’s True Crimes Of Asia Podcast: Channel: https://str.sg/i44T (https://str.sg/i44T)Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/i44q (https://str.sg/i44q)Spotify: https://str.sg/i44c (https://str.sg/i44c) (https://str.sg/i4Y5)SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ (https://www.awedio.sg/)Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts (http://str.sg/stpodcasts)Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg (mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg) Read Walter Sim's articles: https://str.sg/ws6J (https://str.sg/ws6J) --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 (https://str.sg/wvz7) The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u (https://str.sg/wEr7u) In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt (https://str.sg/w7Qt) COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE (https://str.sg/iTtE) Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 (https://str.sg/JWa7) Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN (https://str.sg/JWaN) Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf (https://str.sg/JWaf) Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m (https://str.sg/wB2m) Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE (https://str.sg/JWRE) #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad (https://str.sg/JWad) Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX (https://str.sg/w9TX) --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts (http://str.sg/stpodcasts) ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa (https://str.sg/4Vwsa) --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T (https://str.sg/i44T) The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 (https://str.sg/wuZ2) Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn (https://str.sg/wuZn) Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB (https://str.sg/wuZB) Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa (https://str.sg/wuJa) --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB (https://str.sg/icyB) Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX (https://str.sg/icyX) #truecrimes See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

3. 

   21 Aug 2023

   S1E5: Taiwan: Deadly stabbing spree on metro shocks island of 23 million

   Even the perpetrator's own parents asked for their son to be put to death. Synopsis (headphones recommended): A special edition 6-part series by The Straits Times in Singapore, exploring recent real crimes that gripped, horrified and laid bare the issues that afflicted societies in Asia. Episodes drop every fourth Tuesday of the month from April 25, 2023. Warning: This podcast is an audio documentary of a real crime case which may be troubling and upsetting to certain listeners. Listener discretion is advised. A random stabbing spree in a Taipei metro in 2014 resulted in four dead and 24 injured. There was no apparent motive for the shocking killing, and the assailant Cheng Chieh displayed no remorse. Cheng’s childhood, which was fraught with isolation, his public threats against classmates and plans to kill detailed on his blog, also ignited debate about troubled youth and gaps in mental health care. This case also restarted conversations about capital punishment in Taiwan. ST’s Taiwan correspondent Yip Wai Yee interviews and narrates this podcast. Highlights (click/tap above): 4:49 Cheng's mental state the subject of intense legal dispute 6:28 How Cheng planned his stabbing spree 11:23 He would not have spared anyone, even if his parents had been on board the metro train 14:40 Cheng executed on May 10, 2016; political motivations behind the extraordinary speediness of his execution? 21:51 Why Taiwanese often choose to ignore social problems; health ministry establishes new department dedicated to mental health programmes in May 2022 Interviews & narration by: Yip Wai Yee Executive Producers: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg (mailto:ernest@sph.com.sg)) and Tan Tam Mei (tammei@sph.com.sg (mailto:tammei@sph.com.sg)) Podcast Producers: Eden Soh & Fa'izah Sani Voiceovers: Fa'izah Sani, Eden Soh, Ang Qing, Samuel Devaraj, Jeremy Au Yong, Jean Iau, Teo Tong Kai, Lee Hup Kheng, Clara Chong, Lee Su Shyan Copy editor: Choo Li Meng Follow ST’s True Crimes Of Asia Podcast: Channel: https://str.sg/i44T (https://str.sg/i44T) Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/i44q (https://str.sg/i44q) Spotify: https://str.sg/i44c (https://str.sg/i44c) SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ (https://www.awedio.sg/) Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts (http://str.sg/stpodcasts) Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg (mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg) Read Yip Wai Yee's articles: https://str.sg/i5yX (https://str.sg/i5yX) --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 (https://str.sg/wvz7) The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u (https://str.sg/wEr7u) In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt (https://str.sg/w7Qt) COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE (https://str.sg/iTtE) Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 (https://str.sg/JWa7) Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN (https://str.sg/JWaN) Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf (https://str.sg/JWaf) Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m (https://str.sg/wB2m) Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE (https://str.sg/JWRE) #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad (https://str.sg/JWad) Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX (https://str.sg/w9TX) --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts (http://str.sg/stpodcasts) ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa (https://str.sg/4Vwsa) --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T (https://str.sg/i44T) The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 (https://str.sg/wuZ2) Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn (https://str.sg/wuZn) Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB (https://str.sg/wuZB) Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa (https://str.sg/wuJa) --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB (https://str.sg/icyB) Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX (https://str.sg/icyX) #truecrimes See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

4. 

   30 Jul 2023

   S1E4: Indonesia: Masked ‘ninjas’ and mass murders of suspected sorcerers

   How the gruesome 1998 incidents paved the way for black magic to be criminalised last year in 2022, in the predominantly Muslim country of Indonesia. Synopsis (headphones recommended): A special edition 6-part series by The Straits Times in Singapore, exploring recent real crimes that gripped, horrified and laid bare the issues that afflicted societies in Asia. Episodes drop every fourth Tuesday of the month from April 25, 2023. Warning: This podcast is an audio documentary of a real crime case which may be troubling and upsetting to certain listeners. Listener discretion is advised. Sorcery is against Islamic teachings, but today, many in Indonesia still consult black magic practitioners for advice. In 1998, a series of killings by unknown masked 'ninjas', targeting suspected sorcerers in East Java, launched the community into a period of mass hysteria, violence and retaliation-attacks. The killings triggered discussions on the need and ways to regulate sorcery, to prevent similar instances and to stop people from taking the law into their own hands. The legal gap was finally plugged last year in 2022, when laws on sorcery were included in the revised Criminal Code passed by the Parliament. The government is also seeking to settle the case, along with 11 other human rights abuses, by non-judicial means. ST’s Indonesia Bureau Chief Arlina Arshad narrates this podcast. The reporting and scripting for this episode was done by ST’s Indonesia Correspondent Linda Yulisman. Highlights (click/tap above): 4:20 Why sorcery has long been part of Indonesia’s life and culture, even among the nation's notable figures 10:05 From 1998 till 1999, a ferocious wave of hysteria spreads against purported black magic practitioners 20:15 Larger motives behind attacks? Understanding Banyuwangi region's history and Indonesia’s period of political transition 28:40 Were attacks likely carried out by trained assassins with links to the military? 33:35 Why it took decades to criminalise witchcraft and sorcery in Indonesia Interviews by: Linda Yulisman (ylinda@sph.com.sg (mailto:ylinda@sph.com.sg)) Narrated by: Arlina Arshad (aarlina@sph.com.sg (mailto:aarlina@sph.com.sg)) Executive Producers: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg (mailto:ernest@sph.com.sg)) and Tan Tam Mei (tammei@sph.com.sg (mailto:tammei@sph.com.sg)) Podcast Producers: Hadyu Rahim & Fa'izah Sani Voiceovers: Hairianto Diman, Deepanraj Ganesan, Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja, Dominic Nathan, Lee Nian Tjoe, Colin Tan, Eddino Abdul Hadi, Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim Copy editor: Choo Li Meng Follow ST’s True Crimes Of Asia Podcast: Channel: https://str.sg/i44T (https://str.sg/i44T) Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/i44q (https://str.sg/i44q) Spotify: https://str.sg/i44c (https://str.sg/i44c) SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ (https://www.awedio.sg/) Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts (http://str.sg/stpodcasts) Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg (mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg) Read Linda Yulisman's articles: https://str.sg/iif5 (https://str.sg/iif5) Read Arlina Arshad's articles: https://str.sg/iifS (https://str.sg/iifS) --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 (https://str.sg/wvz7) The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u (https://str.sg/wEr7u) In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt (https://str.sg/w7Qt) COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE (https://str.sg/iTtE) Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 (https://str.sg/JWa7) Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN (https://str.sg/JWaN) Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf (https://str.sg/JWaf) Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m (https://str.sg/wB2m) Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE (https://str.sg/JWRE) #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad (https://str.sg/JWad) Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX (https://str.sg/w9TX) --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts (http://str.sg/stpodcasts) ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa (https://str.sg/4Vwsa) --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T (https://str.sg/i44T) The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 (https://str.sg/wuZ2) Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn (https://str.sg/wuZn) Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB (https://str.sg/wuZB) Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa (https://str.sg/wuJa) --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB (https://str.sg/icyB) Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX (https://str.sg/icyX) #truecrimes See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

5. 

   30 Jul 2023

   S1E3: Singapore: Employers abuse Myanmar domestic worker to her death

   Since Ms Piang Ngaih Don’s death in 2016, a slew of measures have been introduced to stem domestic worker abuse. Synopsis (headphones recommended): A special edition 6-part series by The Straits Times in Singapore, exploring recent real crimes that gripped, horrified and laid bare the issues that afflicted societies in Asia. Episodes drop every fourth Tuesday of the month from April 25, 2023. Warning: This podcast is an audio documentary of a real crime case which may be troubling and upsetting to certain listeners. Listener discretion is advised. In 2016, the abuse and eventual death of a young Myanmar domestic worker led to shock and an outpouring of grief in Singapore. Ms Piang Ngaih Don left her hometown in Chin State, Myanmar, to work for Gaiyathiri Murugayan and her then-husband and suspended police officer Kevin Chelvam in 2015. The details and extent of her torture, at the hands of Gaiyathiri and her mother Prema S. Naraynasamy, brought about heightened checks and health screenings for domestic workers in Singapore. Yet activists say more can be done. ST's Singapore journalist Jean Iau interviews and narrates this podcast. Highlights (click/tap above): 4:23 "Their attitude is like animal attitude", says Mr Tin Maung Win who runs an NGO for migrant workers 6:35 Verbal abuse turns physical: CCTV footage captures the assaults on Ms Piang Ngaih Don over the last 35 days of her life 9:05 Chilling events the night before she died; Gaiyathiri and Prema now serving sentences 15:25 Reactions from Ms Piang Ngaih Don’s family; hundreds take to the streets in Yangon to mourn her 21:06 Revisiting the scene: A young neighbour recalls hearing shouting from Gaiyathiri's flat and avoiding her 22:48 In February 2021, then-Manpower Minister Josephine Teo said Singapore "must do better"; Manpower Ministry spells out some measures introduced since 2021 28:10 Should foreign domestic workers be given option to "live out", regardless of higher costs to employers? Ms Jaya Anil Kumar, senior research and advocacy manager at Human Organisation for Migration Economics (Home) believes so Interviews & narration by: Jean Iau (jeaniau@sph.com.sg (mailto:jeaniau@sph.com.sg)) Executive Producers: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg (mailto:ernest@sph.com.sg)) and Tan Tam Mei (tammei@sph.com.sg (mailto:tammei@sph.com.sg)) Podcast Producers: Hadyu Rahim & Fa'izah Sani Voiceovers: Leonie Teo, Vimalaraj Rajaratnam Copy editor: Choo Li Meng Audio clip of Ms Piang Ngaih Don's sister reproduced with permission from Al Jazeera (see full documentary - https://str.sg/iUQz (https://str.sg/iUQz)) Follow ST’s True Crimes Of Asia Podcast: Channel: https://str.sg/i44T (https://str.sg/i44T) Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/i44q (https://str.sg/i44q) Spotify: https://str.sg/i44c (https://str.sg/i44c) SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ (https://www.awedio.sg/) Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts (http://str.sg/stpodcasts) Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg (mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg) Read Jean Iau's articles: https://str.sg/iUAz (https://str.sg/iUAz) --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 (https://str.sg/wvz7) The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u (https://str.sg/wEr7u) In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt (https://str.sg/w7Qt) COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE (https://str.sg/iTtE) Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 (https://str.sg/JWa7) Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN (https://str.sg/JWaN) Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf (https://str.sg/JWaf) Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m (https://str.sg/wB2m) Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE (https://str.sg/JWRE) #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad (https://str.sg/JWad) Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX (https://str.sg/w9TX) --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts (http://str.sg/stpodcasts) ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa (https://str.sg/4Vwsa) --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T (https://str.sg/i44T) The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 (https://str.sg/wuZ2) Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn (https://str.sg/wuZn) Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB (https://str.sg/wuZB) Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa (https://str.sg/wuJa) --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB (https://str.sg/icyB) Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX (https://str.sg/icyX) #truecrimes See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

6. 

   9 Jun 2023

   S1E2: Thailand: Thousands of foetuses hidden in a Bangkok temple

   This is the 2010 case that became a turning point in Thailand's debate over abortion. Synopsis (headphones recommended): A special edition 6-part series by The Straits Times in Singapore, exploring recent real crimes that gripped, horrified and laid bare the issues that afflicted societies in Asia. Episodes drop every fourth Tuesday of the month from April 25, 2023. Warning: This podcast is an audio documentary of a real crime case which may be troubling and upsetting to certain listeners. Listener discretion is advised. Be transported back to the events of 2010, when the discovery of thousands of rotting foetuses, hidden in a Bangkok temple - led to more awareness and debate over illegal abortions in Buddhist-majority Thailand. The grisly remains at Wat Phai Ngern were traced to a network of clinics. The case uncovered the scale of the illegal abortion industry at a time when the procedure was still largely illegal and heavily stigmatised. ST's Thailand correspondent Tan Tam Mei interviews and narrates this podcast. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:03 A dog chews on something in the middle of a Bangkok temple; long-time temple worker Supote Leangbamrong recalls the stench and discovery by authorities in 2010 5:52 Shockwaves throughout Thailand; abortion hardly discussed and was largely illegal and taboo back then 08:57 Nursing assistant Lanchakorn Janthamanas's underground operation; roping in two temple undertakers to dispose of the bodies 11:40 Abortion activist Supeecha Baotip on how voices of women were missing in the discussion on abortion, her own story and how much has changed since the crime case 17:44 Restrictions against abortion relaxed in 2021, sweeping legal changes in Thailand 20:00 Cultural beliefs: Why some doctors don't perform abortions because they are afraid of karma 23:09 Expanding availability of legal abortions and to change mindsets; abortion offered as a tele-health service in Thailand 25:05 Rumours about the souls of the aborted foetuses haunting the temple still linger, even more than a decade later Interviews & narration by: Tan Tam Mei (tammei@sph.com.sg (mailto:tammei@sph.com.sg)) Executive Producers: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg (mailto:ernest@sph.com.sg)) and Tan Tam Mei Podcast Producers: Teo Tong Kai and Fa’izah Sani Voiceovers: Raul Dancel, Shahrena Hassan, Lee Nian Tjoe, Joel Chng Copy editor: Choo Li Meng Follow ST’s True Crimes Of Asia Podcast: Channel: https://str.sg/i44T (https://str.sg/i44T) Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/i44q (https://str.sg/i44q) Spotify: https://str.sg/i44c (https://str.sg/i44c) SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ (https://www.awedio.sg/) Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts (http://str.sg/stpodcasts) Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg (mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg) Read Tan Tam Mei's articles: https://str.sg/iJxJ (https://str.sg/iJxJ) --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 (https://str.sg/wvz7) The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u (https://str.sg/wEr7u) In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt (https://str.sg/w7Qt) COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE (https://str.sg/iTtE) Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 (https://str.sg/JWa7) Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN (https://str.sg/JWaN) Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf (https://str.sg/JWaf) Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m (https://str.sg/wB2m) Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE (https://str.sg/JWRE) #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad (https://str.sg/JWad) Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX (https://str.sg/w9TX) --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts (http://str.sg/stpodcasts) ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa (https://str.sg/4Vwsa) --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T (https://str.sg/i44T) The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 (https://str.sg/wuZ2) Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn (https://str.sg/wuZn) Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB (https://str.sg/wuZB) Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa (https://str.sg/wuJa) --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB (https://str.sg/icyB) Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX (https://str.sg/icyX) #truecrimes See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

7. 

   29 Apr 2023

   S1E1: South Korea: Cybersex criminals trapping girls in a digital prison

   Find out about the insidious 'Nth room' crimes in one of Asia's most highly-wired countries. Synopsis (headphones recommended): A special edition 6-part series by The Straits Times in Singapore, exploring recent real crimes that gripped, horrified and laid bare the issues that afflicted societies in Asia. Episodes drop every fourth Tuesday of the month from April 25, 2023. Warning: This podcast is an audio documentary of a real crime case which may be troubling and upsetting to certain listeners. Listener discretion is advised. Digital sex crimes have become so common in highly-wired South Korea, leading to several copycat versions of what have become known as the 'Nth room' crimes. Why does this keep happening, and what are the underlying causes of these cases? Despite government efforts to crack down on these cases, they return again and again. This is the side of South Korean society that the world may not know as well, away from the global appeal of its K-drama series and glamour of its K-pop music. ST's South Korea correspondent Chang May Choon interviews and narrates this podcast. Highlights (click/tap above): 2:00 The year was 2019; blackmail and even making victims engrave their names or IDs on their bodies, using knives 5:15 Student journalist Park Ji-hyun and college friend aiming to "pull out the roots of evil", expose published in September 2019; hear the actual voice of the ringleader Cho Ju-bin 10:00 Activist Summer Cha (her voice in Korean is digitally altered to protect her identity) on why digital sex crimes are trending upwards 13:38 Lewd and disgusting reactions in male-only sites towards victims in the recent Itaewon crush incident 14:38 Big cities such as Seoul, Busan and Incheon have now set up their own digital sex crime centres to provide support for victims; Seoul centre director Lee Eun-jeong explains SOPs 17:22 New 'anti-Nth Room Bill' was passed in Korean parliament and went into effect in December 2021; why encrypted messaging app Telegram has slipped through the net 22:17 Park Ji-hyun now a young politician; more Nth room copycats still emerging 25:18 ST correspondent Chang May Choon wraps up, having lived and worked as a Singaporean woman in South Korea for the past eight years Interviews & narration by: Chang May Choon (changmc@sph.com.sg (mailto:changmc@sph.com.sg)) Executive Producers: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg (mailto:ernest@sph.com.sg)) and Tan Tam Mei (tammei@sph.com.sg (mailto:tammei@sph.com.sg)) Podcast Producers: Teo Tong Kai and Fa’izah Sani Voiceovers: Fa’izah Sani, Friday Farzanah, Joyce Teo, Jean Iau, Kim Jin-ha, Samuel Devaraj and Paxton Pang Copy editor: Choo Li Meng Follow ST's True Crimes Of Asia Podcast: Channel: https://str.sg/i44T (https://str.sg/i44T) Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/i44q (https://str.sg/i44q) Spotify: https://str.sg/i44c (https://str.sg/i44c) SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ (https://www.awedio.sg/) Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts (http://str.sg/stpodcasts) Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg (mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg) Read Chang May Choon's articles: https://str.sg/ioon (https://str.sg/ioon) --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 (https://str.sg/wvz7) The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u (https://str.sg/wEr7u) In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt (https://str.sg/w7Qt) COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE (https://str.sg/iTtE) Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 (https://str.sg/JWa7) Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN (https://str.sg/JWaN) Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf (https://str.sg/JWaf) Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m (https://str.sg/wB2m) Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE (https://str.sg/JWRE) #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad (https://str.sg/JWad) Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX (https://str.sg/w9TX) --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts (http://str.sg/stpodcasts) ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa (https://str.sg/4Vwsa) --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T (https://str.sg/i44T) The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 (https://str.sg/wuZ2) Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn (https://str.sg/wuZn) Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB (https://str.sg/wuZB) Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa (https://str.sg/wuJa) --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB (https://str.sg/icyB) Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX (https://str.sg/icyX) #truecrimes See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

8. 

   18 Apr 2023

   Follow our new audio documentary series True Crimes Of Asia

   Headphones are recommended for this series. Synopsis: A 6-part series by The Straits Times in Singapore, exploring recent real crimes that gripped, horrified and laid bare the issues that afflicted societies in Asia. Episodes drop every fourth Tuesday of the month from April 25, 2023. From April till September 2023, listen to the events surrounding a spine-chilling find in a Bangkok temple. Or the gruesome death of a domestic helper in Singapore. But for the first episode dropping on April 25, you will discover a 21st-century crime that could well happen in more countries in an increasingly interconnected world. This was the insidious cybersex underbelly in South Korean society that trapped girls in a digital prison in 2019. We at The Straits Times, investigate how these tragedies left their mark on victims and communities, and also exposed the dark side of societies. Get notifications of new episodes on your favourite audio apps - Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts - when you follow ST’s True Crimes Of Asia. Executive producers: Ernest Luis (ernest@sph.com.sg (mailto:ernest@sph.com.sg)) and Tan Tam Mei (tammei@sph.com.sg (mailto:tammei@sph.com.sg)) Edited by: Fa'izah Sani Follow ST's True Crimes Of Asia every month here: Channel: https://str.sg/i44T (https://str.sg/i44T) Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/i44q (https://str.sg/i44q) Spotify: https://str.sg/i44c (https://str.sg/i44c) Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/i4Y5 (https://str.sg/i4Y5) SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ (https://www.awedio.sg/) Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts (http://str.sg/stpodcasts) Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg (mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg) --- Discover more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 (https://str.sg/wvz7) The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u (https://str.sg/wEr7u) In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt (https://str.sg/w7Qt) COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE (https://str.sg/iTtE) Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 (https://str.sg/JWa7) Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN (https://str.sg/JWaN) Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf (https://str.sg/JWaf) Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m (https://str.sg/wB2m) Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE (https://str.sg/JWRE) #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad (https://str.sg/JWad) Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX (https://str.sg/w9TX) --- ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts (http://str.sg/stpodcasts) ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa (https://str.sg/4Vwsa) --- Special edition series: True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T (https://str.sg/i44T) The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2 (https://str.sg/wuZ2) Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn (https://str.sg/wuZn) Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB (https://str.sg/wuZB) Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa (https://str.sg/wuJa) --- Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB (https://str.sg/icyB) Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX (https://str.sg/icyX) #truecrimes See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

459,929,262

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

4.8 / 5

13 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

6

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

51

Contact True Crimes Of Asia

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.