Crime
Identity behind the 10 arrested in S$1 billion money laundering case revealed, some allegedly sought by Chinese authorities
Singapore’s sweeping crackdown on money laundering, initiated on Tuesday, led to the apprehension of ten individuals and the seizure of S$1 billion in assets.
Some suspects are reportedly sought by Chinese authorities for mainland crimes, and Insider sources hint at a “Fujian Gang” connection in this high-profile case.
Gutzy has compiled a list outlining the backgrounds of the ten individuals, drawing from publicly available sources.
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Force’s operation against a money laundering group on Tuesday (15 Aug) sent shockwaves across the entire island.
The authorities successfully apprehended ten individuals and seized assets, encompassing properties and luxury cars, with an estimated combined value of around S$1 billion (equivalent to US$737 million).
These ten individuals, hailing from various nationalities while sharing a common origin in Fujian, are comprised of three Chinese nationals within the group.
The remaining seven encompass three Cambodians, two Cypriots, one Turkish, and one Vanuatu national.
These individuals are facing a range of charges, including forgery, money laundering, and resisting arrest.
Singapore police earlier noted that all the persons involved in the high-profile money laundering case are neither Singapore citizens nor permanent residents.
A search on Chinese media sources revealed that among these suspects, some are sought after by Chinese authorities for crimes committed within Mainland China.
High-profile money laundering suspects linked to multi-million dollar property acquisitions and alleged ‘Fujian Gang’ network
Singapore’s Chinese media outlet, 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.
Insider information provided to the media has indicated a connection to a group referred to as the “Fujian Gang,” reportedly linked to this high-profile case.
Many members of this group are reputed for their vibrant nightlife activities, frequently indulging in lavish spending exceeding S$100,000 in a single night at nightclubs.
Moreover, this group has been involved in substantial acquisitions of upscale residences strategically positioned in renowned locales such as Sentosa Cove and the Orchard Road vicinity.
Gutzy has compiled a list outlining the backgrounds of the ten individuals, drawing from publicly available sources.
1) Su Haijin- exploring the multifaceted business portfolio and lavish lifestyle
Su Haijin (苏海金), 40, a Cypriot national, formerly served as a director at No Signboard Holdings, a restaurant operator.
Su Haijin held this directorial position at the company from October 2021 to June 2022, as indicated in info available on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra).
The company’s annual report for the year 2021, submitted in October of that year, documented Su Haijin as possessing a 20 percent ownership stake in the company, As reported by The Straits Times.
Su Haijin also held positions as both a shareholder and director at Aiqinhai Investment, a privately held company limited by shares, and maintained identical roles at Daily Glory International, a mobile phone dealership.
Furthermore, according to a report from Chinese media outlet Lianhe Zaobao, it was revealed that Su Haijin holds positions as both a shareholder and director at Yihao Cyber Technologies Pte. Ltd.
Additionally, he is a shareholder in Meining (Asia) International Electronic Commerce Pte. Ltd. and Sg-Gree, an electrical appliance manufacturer specializing in air-conditioners.
Notably, Su Haijin is the younger sibling of another individual who was apprehended, namely Su Baolin.
Su Haijin paid S$36.37 million for a pair of adjacent bungalows in Sentosa Cove
The Business Times, back in August 2021, detailed Su Haijin’s acquisition of these adjoining bungalows, solidifying his opulent lifestyle. These properties, nestled in the exclusive enclave of Sentosa Cove, were reported to have cost him a combined total of $36.37 million.
Earlier, a Singapore-based online Chinese media outlet “Singapore Eyes” (新加坡眼), disclosed that Su resides in an upscale mansion within Ewart Park in Bukit Timah and is the owner of a Rolls-Royce, which serves as his means of transportation.
A photo shared by ST indicated that Su Haijin also owned a Yacht, which he named ‘Family’.
Reportedly, Su Haijin actively engages in social activities, having purportedly sponsored the Singapore President’s Charity Golf Tournament. He also offers support to various associations, and in return, he has been honoured with the title of honorary chairman.
Su was charged with one count of resisting arrest, in which the police statement indicated that during the arrest on Tuesday, officers outside Su’s bedroom identified themselves and instructed him to open the door.
Su then allegedly leapt from the second-floor balcony of his GCB in Ewart Park and was later found by the police hiding in a drain.
The jump resulted in fractures to his hands and legs, and he was taken to the hospital while conscious.
2) Su Baolin- elder brother of Su Haijin
Su Baolin (苏宝林), a 41-year-old Cambodian national, a search for Su’s company, Xinbao Investment via the online archive Wayback machine, revealed that Su Baolin as the founder of Xiamen Xinbao Investment Holdings and Meinin E-Commerce.
He is reportedly a shareholder of construction firm Sentosa Project.
Gutzy earlier reported that Su Baolin reportedly paid S$39.33 million for a Sentosa Cove bungalow with a sea-facing view in April 2021.
According to a police statement, Su was arrested on Tuesday at a Good Class Bungalow (GCB) located on Nassim Road, during which he was purportedly discovered with a foreign passport suspected to have been issued by China.
Items confiscated during the operation encompassed cash exceeding S$777,000, along with 33 luxury bags and watches, as well as 75 pieces of jewellery.
Police authorities have subsequently frozen three associated bank accounts, with a collective balance surpassing S$2.4 million.
3) Su Jianfeng: a shareholder in Ricco
Su Jianfeng (苏剑锋), a 35-year-old national of Vanuatu, is reportedly a shareholder of a wholesale and distribution company called Ricco.
Su Jianfeng faced a charge of money laundering. His arrest took place within a Good Class Bungalow (GCB) situated in Third Avenue in Bukit Timah.
It was reported that he possessed a foreign passport, which was suspected to be issued by China.
Law enforcement officers seized various items during the operation, including cash exceeding S$1.4 million, along with 95 pieces of jewellery and 69 luxury bags and watches.
4 & 5 ) Zhang Ruijin and Lin Baoying
In May 2022, the Bosan (博山) Sub-Bureau of the Zibo (淄博) Municipal Public Security Bureau in China effectively dismantled a network group involved in the development and maintenance of profit-oriented gambling websites, applications, and online gambling platforms.
This network group not only provided or leased these platforms to third parties but also operated them for casino activities, leading to considerable financial gains.
A total of 131 suspects were apprehended in connection with this operation, and more than 10 million RMB worth of funds linked to the case were seized, frozen, or recovered.
Currently, there are nine suspects still involved in this criminal activity who are unlawfully residing overseas. Among them is Wang Shuiming from Xiamen, Fujian Province.
8) Wang Dehai – Accused of Money Laundering
As of now, there is still a lack of relevant background of the remaining three suspects, including Su Wenqiang (苏文强), a 31-year-old Cambodian national; Wang Baosen (王宝森), a 31-year-old Chinese national, and Wang Dehai (王德海), a 34-year-old male Cypriot national.
Wang Dehai (王德海) was apprehended at his condominium situated in Paterson Hill, near Orchard Road.
Wang is charged with a single count of money laundering.
Reportedly, he possessed additional foreign passports suspected to be issued by China and Cambodia.
During the police operation, items confiscated included cash amounting to over S$2.2 million, along with 35 luxury watches and bags, as well as 51 pieces of jewelry.
9) Su Wenqiang – Charged with Money Laundering
Su Wenqiang (苏文强) was charged with a single count of money laundering on Wednesday following his arrest at a Good Class Bungalow (GCB) situated in Lewis Road within Bukit Timah.
Reportedly, he possessed a foreign passport suspected to be issued by China.
During the operation, the police confiscated items including cash exceeding S$600,000, as well as 11 pieces of jewelry.
The police also froze eight associated bank accounts, which collectively held a balance exceeding $10 million.
10) Wang Baosen: Accused of money aundering
Wang Baosen (王宝森) was charged with money laundering subsequent to his arrest at a condominium located on Tomlinson Road in the Orchard area.
The police seized cash amounting to nearly S$112,000.
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.
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.
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.
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.
-
Singapore1 week ago
Minister K Shanmugam transfers Astrid Hill GCB to UBS Trustees for S$88 Million following Ridout Road controversy
-
Politics5 days ago
Dr Tan Cheng Bock questions S$335 million Founders’ Memorial cost, citing Lee Kuan Yew’s stance
-
Singapore2 weeks ago
Singapore woman’s suicide amidst legal battle raises concerns over legal system
-
Parliament1 week ago
Minister Shanmugam rejects request for detailed information on visa-free visitor offences: Cites bilateral considerations
-
Politics2 days ago
Lee Hsien Loong warns of limited political space if election margins narrow
-
Parliament1 week ago
PAP MPs attack WP Gerald Giam in Parliament over NTUC independence from ruling party
-
Politics2 weeks ago
PAP adopts SDP policies after criticizing them: Dr Chee urges Singaporeans to see through tactics
-
Politics1 week ago
11 former or current PAP MPs & Ministers underscore heavy presence in NTUC leadership