A recent TikTok post by Singaporean Xuan Lai has gone viral after she shared a disturbing encounter with a child asking for a piggyback ride late at night at her estate’s void deck. The post, which has gained over 330,000 views, serves as a warning about the potential dangers of speaking to strangers, especially in unusual situations.
Xuan, a nursing student, was walking home when a “scrawny” boy, seemingly in primary school, suddenly appeared from behind a pillar and tapped her on the shoulder. He asked, “Can you help me? Can I climb on your back?” At first, she thought it was a ghost, but when she questioned him, he claimed his leg was in pain and showed her his upper thigh.
However, as a trained observer, Xuan noticed no visible injuries such as cuts, bruises, or swelling. The boy was walking without a limp, which led her to suspect that something was off. Despite this, she offered to help in other ways, suggesting she could assist him or even “princess carry” him. Yet, the boy insisted on the piggyback ride, appearing frightened but still adamant about his request.
Xuan, cautious and concerned for her safety, declined to carry a stranger, worrying about the potential risks. She offered him an alternative: he could wait for her to go home and get her father to help, but the boy declined and walked away on his own.
In the video’s comments, Xuan shared that both her friend and her sister’s friend had similar unsettling experiences in different locations, including Tampines, Boon Lay, and Lakeside. In one instance, a man was seen nearby, pretending to use his phone while watching a child. When the woman refused to help, both the child and the man disappeared together.
While initially suspecting it might have been some kind of social experiment or prank, Xuan now believes the child may have been a “bait” for something more sinister. She raised the possibility that those who helped the boy could have been at risk of being harmed or kidnapped. To ensure the incident was documented, Xuan has filed a police report.
Xuan’s video has sparked a conversation among her followers about stranger danger and the importance of being cautious in similar situations. In her second TikTok post, she responded to concerns, urging others to be vigilant and report suspicious behavior.