Two Chinese nationals were charged on Tuesday with trying to cheat a retiree into buying fake gold items.

Yang Yanqun, 45, and Xiong Jianyuan, 41, are said to have tried to deceive Mr Yong Heong Seng, 77, into believing that they had found a set of buried gold items and tried to induce him into buying them.

The alleged offence took place at a coffeeshop at Block 511 Bishan Street 13 on Sunday.

Both men were remanded at Bedok police division for investigation as they are believed to be involved in other similar cases. They will be back in court on Jan 15. If convicted, they could each be jailed for up to five years and fined.