26-year-old Singaporean Pi Jiapeng and his 27-year-old Thai wife, who scammed victims of $32 million related to luxury goods, were charged in court earlier today (12 August).
The couple were each given 2 charges of cheating, as well as an additional charge of illegally leaving Singapore.
The scam duo appeared in court via a video link and their charges were then read to them.
Pi, wearing a dark green shirt, spoke in English and told the court that it wasn’t right for them to leave Singapore illegally.
His Thai wife, Pansuk, wore a black top and spoke via a Thai interpreter.
Pi said that they were facing surmounting pressure at the time and received death threats, as he apologised and said that he and his wife will “do (our) best with the Singapore Police Force and investigations.”
The two were remanded for one week, with District Judge Brenda Tan agreeing with the prosecution that the couple were proven flight risks.
Caught in JB
Pi Jiapeng, a 26-year-old Singaporean man, and Pansuk Siriwipa, a 27-year-old Thai woman, who went missing after they were involved in a purchasing scam of luxury goods such as watches and designer bags worth at least $32 million has been arrested in Johor Bahru.
According to CNA, the couple who was arrested in Malaysia was handed over to the Singapore Police Force at around 6PM today.
Their escape from justice was short, only 5 weeks before they were caught.
Hiding in Johor Bahru
According to Singapore Police Force, Royal Thai Police informed Singapore Police Force that the couple was hiding in a hotel located in JB.
Singapore Police Force contacted the Malaysian’s Police to find and arrest the couple.
Now they face charges ontop of scams they commit – Illegal departure from Singapore which has the following penalties.
Under the Immigration Act, a person found to have illegally entered or left Singapore without a valid pass or entry permit is punishable with a jail term of up to 6 months and at least 3 strokes of the cane
Background:
The infamous story of a Thai woman and her Singaporean husbands went viral internationally.
The total losses was more than SGD$32 million and more than 180 victims filed a complaint with the Singapore police. The two suspects later escaped bail during the investigation.
The Police are investigating allegations of cheating involving Tradenation Pte Ltd and Tradeluxury Pte Ltd.