Scammed of $20k by a Taoist medium, 34-year-old ex-teacher became one herself
"That was the lowest point in my life."
💸 https://stmp.sg/Htem
@stompteam
Headline: Scammed of $20k by a Taoist medium, 34-year-old ex-teacher became one herself
Subject: Joycelyn Tan, 34, former secondary school Chinese teacher, now co-founder of Sam Tua Yim Hao Dian Temple
💸 The Scam
- After leaving her teaching career to explore new paths & looking for guidance, she consulted a temple medium.
- He persuaded her to lend $20,000, claiming it was a good deed to help someone in need.
- Reality: He took the money for himself & vanished without a word.
- Impact: Devastating loss, nearly bankrupt; she hid it at first fearing judgment for being gullible. Family & friends stepped in to help financially, which she repaid later.
- Her words: “That was the lowest point in my life.”
🙏 Choosing the Unexpected Path
- Despite the scam, she did not turn away from her faith & traditions — rooted since childhood (grandmother brought her to pray; she earned a degree in Chinese Studies from NUS).
- Another medium advised her to become a Taoist medium herself — something she’d never considered.
- She rebuilt her life from scratch, set up her own temple, shifted to working weekends to serve devotees.
- Her mindset: “I strongly believe in the temple traditions… I feel a responsibility to give back to people, seeing my role as a gift from the gods.”
🌀 The Trance Ritual: Tiao Dang
- As a medium, she performs Tiao Dang — entering trance to be possessed by deities, for blessings, guidance, healing & protection.
- First experience: Unexpected — blacked out, remembered nothing; felt dizziness, nausea, drifting in/out of consciousness.
- Ritual process: Invite gods, pray, while others chant & play drums; let deities take over naturally.
- Afterward: Exhaustion, fatigue, headaches — but curiosity & commitment keep her going.
❓ Misconceptions & Surprises
- People often question if the practice is “real or fake” or just a performance. She strives to share the true traditions openly.
- Many are shocked by her age — expecting an elderly medium instead: “Oh, I thought I’d be seeing an old man or woman.”
- Devotees return for the warm environment & sincere service, despite initial surprise.
👦👧 Young Blood Keeping Traditions Alive
- Her temple team has ~20 members, as young as 15 — students & part-timers.
- They balance discipline & proper practice with lively energy to draw younger people.
- Using social media & online platforms to spread awareness of Taoist culture & traditions to the next generation.
- Her goal: “Being able to keep traditions going and attract younger people means a lot to me.”
🔗 Link: https://stmp.sg/Htem
📰 Source: STOMP / Trixy Toh, Published Aug 12, 2026 of $20k by a Taoist medium, 34-year-old ex-teacher became one herself
"That was the lowest point in my life."
💸 https://stmp.sg/Htem
@stompteam
Full Story Details 📖
Headline: Scammed of $20k by a Taoist medium, 34-year-old ex-teacher became one herself
Subject: Joycelyn Tan, 34, former secondary school Chinese teacher, now co-founder of Sam Tua Yim Hao Dian Temple
💸 The Scam
- After leaving her teaching career to explore new paths & looking for guidance, she consulted a temple medium.
- He persuaded her to lend $20,000, claiming it was a good deed to help someone in need.
- Reality: He took the money for himself & vanished without a word.
- Impact: Devastating loss, nearly bankrupt; she hid it at first fearing judgment for being gullible. Family & friends stepped in to help financially, which she repaid later.
- Her words: “That was the lowest point in my life.”
🙏 Choosing the Unexpected Path
- Despite the scam, she did not turn away from her faith & traditions — rooted since childhood (grandmother brought her to pray; she earned a degree in Chinese Studies from NUS).
- Another medium advised her to become a Taoist medium herself — something she’d never considered.
- She rebuilt her life from scratch, set up her own temple, shifted to working weekends to serve devotees.
- Her mindset: “I strongly believe in the temple traditions… I feel a responsibility to give back to people, seeing my role as a gift from the gods.”
🌀 The Trance Ritual: Tiao Dang
- As a medium, she performs Tiao Dang — entering trance to be possessed by deities, for blessings, guidance, healing & protection.
- First experience: Unexpected — blacked out, remembered nothing; felt dizziness, nausea, drifting in/out of consciousness.
- Ritual process: Invite gods, pray, while others chant & play drums; let deities take over naturally.
- Afterward: Exhaustion, fatigue, headaches — but curiosity & commitment keep her going.
❓ Misconceptions & Surprises
- People often question if the practice is “real or fake” or just a performance. She strives to share the true traditions openly.
- Many are shocked by her age — expecting an elderly medium instead: “Oh, I thought I’d be seeing an old man or woman.”
- Devotees return for the warm environment & sincere service, despite initial surprise.
👦👧 Young Blood Keeping Traditions Alive
- Her temple team has ~20 members, as young as 15 — students & part-timers.
- They balance discipline & proper practice with lively energy to draw younger people.
- Using social media & online platforms to spread awareness of Taoist culture & traditions to the next generation.
- Her goal: “Being able to keep traditions going and attract younger people means a lot to me.”
🔗 Link: https://stmp.sg/Htem
📰 Source: STOMP / Trixy Toh, Published Aug 12, 2026