A 58-year-old sole proprietor, Koh Kok Liang, has been sentenced to 35 months’ imprisonment after being found guilty of cheating and money laundering offences related to a scheme targeting Hakuto Singapore Pte Ltd. The sentencing was handed down on 7 August 2025.
Koh was convicted on two counts under Section 420 read with Section 109 of the Penal Code for conspiring to cheat Hakuto, and one count under Section 44(1)(a) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act (CDSA) for assisting in retaining benefits from criminal conduct. Additional charges related to money laundering and conspiracy were also considered during sentencing.
The case centred on a fraudulent scheme uncovered in 2018, where a senior sales manager at Hakuto, Albert Kee Boon Ping, allegedly collaborated with Koh, who is the sole proprietor of Advantronics Datanet Solution Trading (ADST), a supplier to Hakuto.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
Investigations by the Commercial Affairs Department revealed that Albert issued fake purchase orders for semiconductor programming and baking services to Koh, despite such services neither being requested nor within ADST’s capability. These orders were created using Hakuto’s letterhead, bypassing the company’s approval processes.
Koh would then submit corresponding invoices from ADST, requesting payment for services that were never performed. The finance department at Hakuto, relying on these documents, issued payment cheques to ADST, which Koh subsequently deposited into ADST’s bank accounts.
Between 2016 and 2017, Hakuto was defrauded of approximately USD 362,323.40 (around SGD 503,109.05). Following cheque clearance, Koh withdrew the funds and shared the proceeds with Albert. In 2017 alone, Koh passed cash cheques totalling SGD 190,594.27 to Albert, enabling the latter to unlawfully retain financial gains from the fraud.
Legal Implications and Sentencing
Under Singapore law, offences involving cheating by conspiracy can result in fines and imprisonment up to 10 years. Money laundering offences carry penalties of fines up to SGD 500,000, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both.
This case demonstrates the authorities’ continued vigilance in investigating corporate fraud and money laundering. The sentence reflects the severity of crimes that undermine corporate integrity and trust in Singapore’s business environment.
The Singapore Police Force continues to encourage organisations to maintain robust internal controls to prevent such fraudulent activities.