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105 properties valued at S$831 million tied to S$1 billion money laundering case

On Friday (18 Aug), the Singapore Police Force disclosed that 11 more properties were added to prohibition of disposal orders in a S$1 billion anti-money laundering case involving non-resident Fujian individuals.

This raises the total to 105 properties under such orders, restraining their sale by suspects.

The portfolio includes assets worth $831 million, comprising 7 Sentosa Cove bungalows and 79 condominium units, 19 under construction.

In a separate statement, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) disclosed that the 10 foreigners, consisting of nine men and one woman aged between 31 and 44, held Employment and Dependant Passes.

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1 year ago

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SINGAPORE: On Friday (18 Aug), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) revealed that an additional eleven properties have been subjected to prohibition of disposal orders in the S$1 billion anti-money laundering case involving individuals from Fujian who are not residents.

This brings the total count of properties under such orders in this case to 105, following the previous issuance of orders for 94 properties.

These orders effectively restrict the sale of these properties by the suspected individuals.

The collection of 105 properties, estimated to hold a combined value of S$831 million, encompasses various assets, including seven detached bungalows situated at Sentosa Cove, as well as 79 condominium units, with 19 of them still in the construction phase.

Additionally, 19 commercial and industrial spaces have been added to the list of properties with the prohibition of disposal orders.

The police clarified that these properties are under the ownership of individuals who are currently under investigation.

This includes individuals who have been apprehended, those who are sought after by law enforcement, their marital partners, or businesses associated with these individuals.

The police also emphasized that the luxurious good-class bungalows (GCBs) where the Fujian individuals were apprehended during the recent islandwide crackdown on money laundering are not registered under their ownership.

Importantly, these particular GCBs are not among the 105 properties subjected to prohibition of disposal orders.

“These GCBs are not part of the 105 properties issued with prohibition of disposal orders,” the police said.

“The Police have neither seized nor issued prohibition of disposal orders against any GCBs in relation to this case.”

The suspects lived in residences located in areas such Sentosa Cove, Tanglin, Orchard, Holland and River Valley.

MOM: all the arrested foreigners held Employment and Dependant Passes

In a separate statement on Friday, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) disclosed that the 10 foreigners, consisting of nine men and one woman aged between 31 and 44, held Employment and Dependant Passes.

MOM said they will take the necessary action against them if serious offences are disclosed, in consultation with the Police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

“All employers and work pass applicants must declare that all the information contained in their work pass applications are true and correct”.

“This includes company details and applicants’ personal particulars, as well as work experience, salary and qualifications,” it added.

“MOM will assess all applications and look into any suspicious information.”

On Wednesday (16 Aug), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) announced a raid involving over 400 officers across the island in a crackdown on money laundering and forgery activities, resulting in the historic seizure of assets amounting to roughly S$1 billion (US$736 million), which shocked the entire Island.

Ten individuals, with diverse nationalities but a common Fujian heritage, were arrested on Tuesday and charged in court on Wednesday night with forgery, money laundering, and resisting arrest.

Among them, there is a wide range of nationalities represented, including Cypriot, Turkish, Chinese, Cambodian, and Ni-Vanuatu.

Additionally, twelve individuals are aiding with current investigations, and eight are on the police’s wanted list.

This high-profile money laundering case has sent shockwaves throughout the entire island, prompting questions about why some of the suspects have seemingly been residing in Singapore for extended periods, dating back as early as 2021.

Singapore Chinese media Lianhe Zaobao earlier reported that one of the arrested individuals, a Chinese national from Fujian, is alleged to have acquired 20 units at CanningHill Piers for an estimated S$85 million in June last year.

Notably, one of the suspects, Su Haijin, was reportedly a shareholder or director in multiple companies and had purportedly received S$36.37 million for a pair of adjacent bungalows 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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12 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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