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Allegations link Fujianese money transfers to Singapore’s historic anti-laundering crackdown

Chinese media in Singapore reported on Tuesday that the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) targeted funds allegedly connected to Chinese nationals from Fujian province in Singapore’s largest anti-money laundering operation with a seizure of assets worth S$1 billion (US$736 million).

While the publications noted discussions with both the Chinese embassy and the Chinese Liaison Office, Singapore authorities have not announced any involvement of Chinese officials in their press releases.

Published

1 year ago

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SINGAPORE: On Tuesday (15 Aug), the Singapore authorities launched what is believed to be the most extensive operation against money laundering in the country’s history.

The crackdown began promptly at 7 am local time, with over 400 officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) conducting simultaneous raids across the island.

Assets roughly amounting to S$1 billion (US$736 million) were seized during the operation, which included properties, vehicles, luxury items, gold bars, and more.

A significant development in this operation, highlighted by local Chinese media 8world, involved a series of transactions linked to Citibank. The report claims that large sums were funneled into Citibank accounts by dozens of Fujianese individuals through underground banks.

Shicheng.news, another Chinese publication, stated that the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) had set up a covert task force more than three months prior, focusing mainly on the activities of Chinese nationals from Fujian province.

This was based on a tweet by VanessaCao on Twitter/X made on Wednesday before any official announcement of the arrests was made.

These funds, suspected of links to illicit activities like gambling and drug trafficking, attracted the attention of specific Singaporean government departments. This led CAD to establish the task force for an in-depth investigation.

VanessaCao also underscored an upcoming visit from a delegation of the Chinese Ministry of Public Security scheduled for 21 August.

The account also wrote that Singapore engaged in in-depth discussions with both the Chinese embassy and the Chinese Liaison Office in the city. Yet, the extent of the Chinese Ministry of Public Security’s involvement remains murky.

According to VanessaCao, this visit may directly correlate with CAD’s ongoing probes.

A discrepancy exists in the arrest figures: Shicheng.news cited around 30 arrests with potential involvement of up to 60 individuals, while the SPF reported that only ten individuals, aged between 31 and 44, were detained.

These ten individuals, from diverse nationalities such as Cypriot, Turkish, Chinese, Cambodian, and Ni-Vanuatu, are facing charges pertaining to the alleged crimes, including resisting arrest.

Additionally, twelve individuals are aiding with current investigations, and eight are on the police’s wanted list. The SPF clarified, “These individuals are believed to be connected. None are Singaporean citizens or permanent residents.”

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) noted that earlier intelligence and data from suspicious transaction reports (STRs) submitted by Singaporean financial institutions (FIs) had alerted CAD to dubious activities within the financial sector.

Conversely, the SPF said it initiated its investigation following tips about alleged illegal activities, reportedly involving the use of counterfeit documents to trace the origins of funds in Singaporean bank accounts.

Further in-depth investigations, fortified by intelligence and scrutiny of STRs, pinpointed a group of foreign nationals suspected of money laundering. These funds are believed to originate from their foreign organized crime endeavors, ranging from scams to online gambling.

Moreover, the police issued prohibition orders on assets, including 94 properties and 50 vehicles, cumulatively valued at over S$815 million. Confiscated assets also comprise over S$110 million dispersed across 35 bank accounts, S$23 million in cash, luxury goods, electronics, jewelry, two gold bars, and 11 virtual asset-related documents.

In its press statement, MAS emphasized its earnest approach to this case, maintaining communication with the FIs that identified the possibly tainted funds.

MAS continues its supervisory engagement with these institutions, vowing to take strict action against any FIs found in violation of MAS’ rigorous anti-money laundering/counter-terrorism financing protocols, or those with subpar defenses against money laundering/terrorism financing (ML/TF) risks.

As of this report’s release, the Singaporean authorities have yet to announce any participation of Chinese officials in their official statements.

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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.

Published

7 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.

Published

11 hours ago

on

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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