13-3-2024 (SINGAPORE) In a candid and raw new podcast series titled “Dirty Messy Free,” former Night Owl Cinematics (NOC) co-founder Sylvia Chan has shed light on the tumultuous period when she found herself under police investigation amidst a slew of serious allegations. Joined by life coach Daniel Lim, Chan’s podcast delves into the ordeal she endured, offering an intimate glimpse into her side of the story.
The saga began in March 2020 when Chan’s split from her ex-husband and NOC co-founder, Ryan Tan, spiraled into a legal battle fueled by allegations of verbal abuse towards former employees and mishandling of company funds. What followed was a 12-month-long investigation by the Singapore Police Force, during which Chan found herself grappling with accusations ranging from embezzlement to the shocking claim of facilitating prostitution.
“I never imagined that I would ever go to a police station, and I never imagined trying to go there and defend myself,” Chan revealed in the inaugural episode of her podcast. She recounted the chilling experience of being led into an interrogation room, where she was informed that over 100 reports had been filed against her, with an entire floor of officers dedicated to her case.
Among the most daunting allegations were those pertaining to embezzlement and prostitution. A blog post, purportedly written by former NOC employees, accused Chan of misappropriating company funds for personal ventures and spending nearly $80,000 on expenses such as rent. Additionally, the claims suggested that Chan had offered a local courier service founder sexual favors from one of NOC’s talents to secure a business deal.
Faced with these grave accusations, Chan found herself in a precarious position, having to defend transactions from years ago and sift through a decade’s worth of documents to prove her innocence. “I had to dig through 10 years of documents to try and prove my case,” she disclosed, recounting the arduous process of obtaining old bank statements and meticulously examining boxes of records with the support of her loved ones.
The strain of the investigation took a toll on Chan’s mental well-being, as she teetered on the verge of a breakdown, grappling with self-doubt as the inquiries dragged on. Lim empathized, acknowledging how seemingly innocuous actions could be misconstrued in light of the charges leveled against her.
After a grueling 12 months, the police concluded their investigations, and Chan was cleared of all allegations. While the relief of being exonerated was palpable, Chan revealed that the advice from the officer handling her case left a lasting impact: “Sylvia, find better friends.”
Expressing gratitude for the officer’s dedication to uncovering the truth, Chan nonetheless expressed shock at the lack of consequences faced by those who filed the reports against her. As she moves forward, her podcast serves as a platform to share her story and shed light on the complexities of her ordeal.
In the aftermath of the saga, Chan has taken on new roles, including her position as the regional head of content and intellectual property at Gushcloud International, and her foray into life coaching. Through “Dirty Messy Free,” she invites listeners into her journey, offering a raw and unfiltered account of the challenges she faced and the lessons she learned along the way.
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