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Singapore Police seize S$1 billion in assets amid massive money laundering and forgery probe

The Singapore Police Force seized assets worth S$1 billion (US$736 million) in a major crackdown on money laundering and forgery. Ten individuals of varied nationalities are in custody, facing charges related to the alleged crimes. The assets include properties, luxury items, gold bars, and funds from bank accounts.

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1 year ago

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SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Force (SPF) announced a significant crackdown on money laundering and forgery activities, resulting in the seizure of assets amounting to roughly S$1 billion (US$736 million). This substantial haul includes properties, vehicles, luxury items, gold bars, and more.

On Wednesday (16 Aug), in a news release, the police disclosed that ten individuals, aged between 31 and 44, were taken into custody.

They face charges related to the alleged crimes and for resisting arrest. These individuals are of diverse nationalities, including Cypriot, Turkish, Chinese, Cambodian, and Ni-Vanuatu.

Furthermore, twelve others are assisting with the ongoing investigations. An additional eight persons remain on the police’s wanted list. “These persons are believed to have connections among themselves. All the persons involved are neither Singapore citizens nor permanent residents,” the police added.

The SPF began its probe after receiving information about potential illegal activities. These activities encompassed the utilization of presumably forged documents to verify the origin of funds in Singapore bank accounts.

The police’s exhaustive investigations, bolstered by intelligence and the examination of suspicious transaction reports, identified a group of foreign nationals.

This group is suspected of laundering money, the proceeds from their overseas organized crime activities. These illicit activities range from scams to online gambling.

Tuesday saw an enormous mobilization of police resources, with over 400 officers conducting simultaneous raids across the island.

The teams were comprised of members from the Commercial Affairs Department, the Criminal Investigation Department, Special Operations Command, and the Police Intelligence Department.

The targeted locations included high-end residences such as Good Class Bungalows (GCB) and condominiums. As a result of these raids, nine men and one woman were apprehended.

The police further reported issuing prohibition orders against assets, including 94 properties and 50 vehicles valued at over S$815 million.

Additionally, other seized items comprise more than S$110 million across 35 bank accounts, over S$23 million in cash, luxury goods, electronic devices, jewelry pieces, two gold bars, and 11 documents related to virtual assets.

Notable incidents during the arrest include:
  • A 40-year-old Cypriot national tried to evade arrest by jumping from the second floor of his Good Class Bungalow, resulting in injuries. He’s now facing charges of resisting lawful apprehension.
  • Two PRC nationals, a male and a female, were arrested at their Sentosa Cove bungalow, with assets valued at over S$106 million confiscated from them.
  • A Cambodian national was apprehended with assets including 75 pieces of jewelry and a total value of more than S$76 million.

The accused, ten in total, are expected to face charges in court today.

Police case notes also revealed that several among them lived in prestigious locations like Good Class Bungalows along Holland Road and Nassim Road, as well as in Sentosa Cove.

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Crime

Singaporean fugitive deported from Thailand, to be charged with drug trafficking

A Singaporean fugitive arrested in Thailand, was deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024 and faces drug trafficking charges. Authorities expect him to face the death penalty under Singapore’s tough drug laws for running a smuggling operation between Thailand, Australia, and Singapore.

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8 hours ago

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19 September 2024

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A 31-year-old Singaporean man, wanted for drug trafficking offences, was arrested in Thailand and deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024.

The fugitive, identified as Benny Kee Soon Chuan, was apprehended by Thai police at his residence near Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and will face charges in court on 20 September.

Kee, described as a high-level trafficker, ran a smuggling operation that trafficked crystal methamphetamine, ketamine, and Ecstasy to Australia and Singapore using Thailand as a transit hub, according to Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon, secretary-general of Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

Cross-Border Investigation and Arrest

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) of Singapore had issued an arrest warrant for Kee following investigations into two drug trafficking cases in December 2020 and November 2022.

He had been on the run since 11 April 2016, prompting CNB to collaborate with its international counterparts, including the ONCB. Thai authorities were tipped off by CNB on 12 August 2024, and after weeks of investigation, Kee was apprehended on 17 September.

Thai immigration officials revealed that Kee had entered Thailand earlier in 2024 using a Vanuatu passport.

Following his arrest, Kee’s Thai visa was cancelled, and assets worth 15 million baht (S$585,000), including luxury watches, gold pieces, and a luxury car, were seized during a raid on his residence in Samut Prakan.

Lt Gen Panurat confirmed that the fugitive had been living an affluent lifestyle in Thailand despite lacking legitimate employment.

Links to Broader Drug Network

Kee is believed to be linked to other Singaporean traffickers involved in the smuggling of drugs from Thailand.

In March 2021, Thailand’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force (AITF) intercepted packages containing Ecstasy and ketamine destined for Singapore, as well as crystal methamphetamine bound for Australia.

Two other Singaporean men, aged 21 and 29 at the time of their arrests, were later sentenced to imprisonment and caning in Singapore for their involvement in these operations, which were connected to Kee’s trafficking network.

Death Penalty Under Singaporean Law

Kee’s deportation to Singapore brings him under the jurisdiction of Singapore’s severe drug laws, which prescribe the death penalty for those convicted of trafficking substantial amounts of controlled substances.

Singaporean authorities have indicated that he could face the death penalty under the country’s strict drug trafficking laws. Pol Lt Gen Panurat indicated that Singaporean authorities are expected to seek the maximum penalty for Kee’s alleged offences.

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Crime

Islamic firm CEO among 19 arrested in Malaysia’s charity home abuse scandal

The CEO of Islamic firm Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) and his wife were among 19 arrested by Malaysian authorities on Thursday for alleged child abuse linked to their charity homes. Last week, police rescued 402 children from these homes. Investigations revealed a horrifying network of abuse, with at least 13 children allegedly sodomised or taught to sexually assault others.

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11 hours ago

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19 September 2024

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MALAYSIA: In a major crackdown, Malaysian police have arrested several members of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) top management, including CEO Nasiruddin Ali and his wife.

The arrests were made in a special operation conducted by Bukit Aman’s criminal investigation department at multiple locations.

As of 19 September, total of 19 people were detained, including the CEO’s two children and the child of former Al-Arqam leader Ashaari Muhammad.

Among those arrested are 12 men and seven women, aged between 30 and 65.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain confirmed the arrests and promised to provide updates soon.

The arrests come on the heels of a significant child sexual abuse scandal involving GISBH.

Last week, police rescued 402 children from 20 welfare homes linked to the organization in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

They also arrested 171 people, including an ustaz and a hostel warden.

The case sent shockwaves throughout the country as investigations revealed a horrifying network of child abuse.

At least 13 of the rescued children were allegedly sodomized or taught to sexually assault others.

GISBH initially denied operating the welfare homes and rejected the allegations of abuse.

However, Nasiruddin later admitted that cases of sodomy had occurred within the organization in the past, while denying any deviant teachings.

In a related development, three men linked to GISBH pleaded not guilty in a Seremban court to charges of sexually assaulting boys aged between nine and 11 at a religious school associated with the organisation.

The alleged assaults took place between 2022 and 2023 in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan.

Additionally, another man was charged in Putrajaya for allegedly threatening a woman to withdraw a police report against GISBH.

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