[Top: File photo of Sharon Au]

The woman who cheated popular ex-variety show host Sharon Au's mother of $21,000 was charged in court today, reported Lianhe Wanbao.

Housing agent Cai Huili, 37, faces two charges of cheating, to which she intends to plead guilty.

Formerly a car salesperson, the slim woman appeared solemn during her court appearance. Answering the judge's questions, Huili said she had returned $4,000 to Ms Au's mother.

The accused said she will not hire a lawyer, and requested for an extension to settle personal matters. She was granted bail at $10,000, and the hearing will resume on Nov 27.

It is understood that Ms Au, 33, who is studying in France, decided to buy a car for her 55-year-old mother when she returned to Singapore for a vacation.

Mother and daughter looked for the accused, whom they both trusted, to handle the transaction. It is believed that the accused and Ms Au were good friends, reported Wanbao.

Huili received $20,000 from Ms Au's mother on April 11 this year, and a sum of $1,000 on a separate occasion in the same month.

She faces two charges for keeping both sums of money for her own use.

If convicted, Huili could get a jail term of up to seven years, a fine, or both.