Back in June 2023, Gill and Warren Press, two New Zealanders, embarked on a long-awaited journey back home from their European vacation. They had booked premium economy seats for their 13-hour flight from Paris to Singapore with Singapore Airlines (SIA).

As the Press couple settled into their premium economy seats, they were taken aback when they realized that the passenger next to them had brought a pet dog along.

According to Stuff, the wife, Gill Press, initially mistook the dog’s heavy breathing and snorting for her husband’s phone, only to discover it was the furry co-passenger.

Uncomfortable with the presence of the dog, Gill and Warren approached a flight attendant to voice their concerns.

The flight attendant informed them that the only available seats were in the back row of the economy class. Initially, they decided not to move, but as the flight progressed, they reconsidered.

The decision to change seats was influenced by the dog’s apparent flatulence and the limited legroom, which resulted in the dog’s head being under Warren’s feet.

Gill described the discomfort, stating that the dog’s “saliva goo” even made contact with Warren’s legs as he was wearing shorts.

When the couple approached a flight attendant once more, they were relocated to some seats at the front of the economy cabin, which were initially reserved for the airline’s staff. Additionally, they were assured that an incident report would be filed, and the airline would follow up on their case.

Despite these assurances, the Press couple did not receive any updates from Singapore Airlines regarding their complaint for an entire week. Frustrated, Gill contacted SIA’s customer service via email, seeking resolution.

Request for full refund

SIA’s response came two weeks later, accompanied by an apology and an offer of a S$100 gift voucher each for the airline’s KrisShop website, which Gill rejected, asserting that it did not compensate for the significant difference between the premium economy tickets they had initially booked and the economy seats they occupied.

Over three weeks later, SIA offered a S$200 travel voucher, but Gill remained unsatisfied. Instead, she requested a full refund.

The couple emphasized that their complaint was not about disliking dogs, as they were dog owners themselves. Their concern was the lack of prior information about the situation and their disappointment with the airline’s customer service.

SIA’s Apology

In response to inquiries from Mothership, an SIA spokesperson

A spokesperson for SIA issued an apology to the Press couple for their unpleasant experience and clarified that assistance dogs are accepted on SIA flights, provided they meet the airline’s travel requirements.

SIA added that they endeavor to notify customers who may be seated next to an assistance dog before boarding. If customers request to be moved, they will be accommodated within the same cabin if space allows.

In a sprawling money laundering investigation, authorities have cast a wide net, scrutinizing individuals connected to foreign nationals arrested in the probe.

This gripping narrative unveils the complexity of the case, delving into the assets and businesses of those under investigation.

According to The Straits Times, the Ministry of Law initiated the probe by issuing a notice on August 27th, targeting dealers of precious metals and stones. The objective was clear: unearth any suspicious transactions involving 24 individuals linked to the case.

Suspects’ Family Ties

During a subsequent court hearing, the prosecution revealed that the suspects include not only the main accused but also their wives and relatives.

Su Yongcan

• Su Yongcan is a shareholder of Craft Digital, a company located at Millenia Tower in Singapore.
• His registered address coincides with Wu Shuiying, another associate of the 10 primary accused.
• Su Yongcan’s name also surfaces at the Sentosa Golf Club, where several others within the alleged network, such as Su Haijin and Su Baolin, are members. Interestingly, Su Haijin and Su Baolin were arrested on August 15th in connection with this investigation.
• Additionally, Su Yongcan is wanted by Chinese authorities due to his alleged involvement in a gambling gang exposed in 2017, which reportedly includes Su Jianfeng, Su Wenqiang, and Wang Dehai—individuals among the 10 facing charges in Singapore.

Wang Shuiting

• Wang Shuiting’s brother is none other than Wang Shuiming, also one of the 10 accused.
• Like Su Yongcan, Wang Shuiting is a member of the Sentosa Golf Club.
• He is wanted by Chinese authorities for his alleged association with the Heng Bo Bao Wang gambling syndicate, uncovered in 2022. Intriguingly, his brother, Shuiming, is also sought after in China for similar reasons.

Wang Ruiyan

• Wang Ruiyan is married to Vang Shuiming, whose registered address matches her husband’s place of arrest on August 15th, 7B Bishopsgate.
• She serves as the director of two Singaporean companies: Ming Huang Investments and Ming Huang Management.

Wu Qin

• Wu Qin, married to Su Haijin since Valentine’s Day in 2019, had her address listed as 16 Ewart Park during the police raid.
• She holds director roles in two local companies: Hirohisa Vending and Culbert Management.

Ma Ning

• Ma Ning is Su Baolin’s wife, and their assets worth almost $100 million, including properties, bank accounts, and vehicles, were seized by authorities.
• Ma Ning resides in Gramercy Park, a condominium in Grange Road, matching the registered address of Su Haijin.

Chen Qiuyan

• Chen Qiuyan’s registered address corresponds to a unit at 8 Saint Thomas, a condominium in River Valley where Su Jianfeng resided.
• She is the director of two local companies: Qingfeng Assets and Qingfeng Investment.

Wang Qiujiao

• Wang Qiujiao directs two Singaporean companies: King Shine Capital and King Shine Consulting.
• Her registered address is a condominium unit at New Futura, the same unit bought in 2018 for $10.2 million by Chen Qingyuan, another individual arrested during the Singapore raid. Notably, King Shine Capital also has a connection to Pinkee, where Chen Qingyuan is listed as a director.

Su Caihuang

• Su Caihuang resides in the same unit at The Marq on Paterson Hill, which Wang Dehai allegedly purchased using ill-gotten gains.
• She serves as the director of two Singaporean companies: Horizon Win and Horizon Win Management.

He Huifang

• He Huifang, the wife of Wang Baosen, facing two money laundering charges, owns Hui Xia Technology Investment.
• Assets worth over $18 million, including a black Toyota Alphard, bank accounts, and a property, have been seized or subjected to prohibition of disposal orders. These assets belonged to Wang Baosen, his wife, and Hui Xia Technology Investment.
• He Huifang’s registered address is a condo in Tomlinson Road, where Wang Baosen was arrested on August 15th.

Su Lihong

• Su Lihong directs two Singaporean companies: Lihong Investment Management and Lihong Investment.
• Her registered residence is at 40 Belmont Road.

Conclusion

The money laundering probe continues to unravel intricate connections and financial intricacies. With assets worth millions seized and numerous individuals facing charges, this case highlights the significance of global cooperation in tackling financial crimes.

In a recent development, six men, one woman, and three teenagers between the ages of 16 and 28, found themselves in hot water as they were apprehended for their alleged involvement in a string of banking-related malware scams.

The Arrests

The Commercial Affairs Department and Police Intelligence Department conducted extensive island-wide operations from August 28 to September 8, leading to the arrests of ten individuals.

Additionally, two men and two women, aged between 20 and 49, are currently assisting the police in the ongoing investigations.

The Modus Operandi

The suspects are believed to have played a pivotal role in facilitating the scam cases by providing their bank accounts, Internet banking credentials, and Singpass credentials in exchange for money.

Their activities came to the forefront due to a surge in reports of malware compromising Android devices since January 2023. This led to unauthorized transactions draining victims’ bank accounts.

The Trap Unveiled

Victims unwittingly fell into the trap by responding to enticing advertisements on popular social media platforms such as Facebook.

They were directed to download an Android Package Kit (APK) from unofficial app stores, as instructed by the scammers.

Once the APK was installed, victims were convinced to enable accessibility services on their phones. Little did they know that this seemingly innocuous action would be their undoing.

Exploiting Vulnerabilities

Enabling accessibility services weakened the security of the victims’ phones, providing scammers with the opportunity to seize control of the devices.

With this newfound access, they proceeded to steal banking credentials, gain entry to banking apps, add money mules to their operation, raise payment limits, transfer money, and meticulously delete notifications to cover their tracks.

Potential penalties

Persons found guilty of acquiring benefits from criminal conduct face a jail term of up to 10 years and/or a fine of up to $500,000.

Persons found guilty of deceiving banks into opening accounts not meant for personal use, and giving away their login details, face a jail term of up to 3 years and.or a fine.

Persons found guilty of disclosing their Singpass details face a jail term of up to 3 years and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

In a concerning incident that recently came to light, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Singapore is investigating a distressing case where a domestic worker was seen precariously cleaning the roof on top of a house in Bukit Timah with a broom, according to The Straits Times.

This alarming event came to public attention when it was shared on the Complaint Singapore Facebook page on August 31. The post included photos and a video depicting a domestic worker clinging to the roof while attempting to clean it.

The Urgent Need for Investigation

A spokesperson for MOM confirmed the ongoing investigation and expressed the ministry’s concern regarding employers who fail to provide safe working conditions for migrant domestic workers.

The incident, as shared by a concerned individual known as Geraldine, highlights the dangers that some domestic workers face in their employment.

Geraldine, who shared the incident, disclosed that she and the domestic worker in the video had been friends while residing in the same condominium between 2017 and 2018, working for different employers.

She further explained that she couldn’t ignore the situation and wanted to draw attention to the unsafe work conditions that some domestic workers endure.

Ms. Geraldine, who witnessed and recorded the incident at approximately 11 am on August 31, stated that her friend had been instructed by her current employer to sweep the roof. This perilous task forced her friend into a precarious situation, and Geraldine felt compelled to share this incident to raise awareness.

With the intervention of the authorities, the domestic worker was promptly relocated to a shelter, ensuring her safety. The Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) reached out to the informant and also reported the incident to MOM, and they reiterated its readiness to provide additional assistance to the migrant domestic worker if required.

A Troubling Pattern

The incident brings to light a troubling pattern where domestic workers are asked to perform hazardous tasks. Examples of such dangerous assignments include climbing ladders to clean high shelves or fans without proper supervision.

The Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics reported that approximately one in five domestic workers seeking assistance from the organization had been subjected to such perilous work.

The spokesperson for the Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics emphasized the importance of respecting the dignity and safety of domestic workers. She stressed that domestic workers should not be made to perform tasks that compromise their safety and that precautions should always be taken when they have to carry out precarious tasks.

Legal Consequences

Employers found guilty of instructing migrant domestic workers to undertake tasks that endanger their safety can face severe penalties. These penalties include fines of up to $10,000, imprisonment for a maximum of 12 months, or both.

A 30-year-old man was apprehended by the police on Saturday for the alleged murder of his 32-year-old wife at a hotel along Katong, according to The Straits Times.

The Grisly Discovery

The harrowing saga began on a seemingly ordinary Saturday evening around 5.05 pm when the man walked into the Marine Parade Neighbourhood Police Centre. He confessed to the officers that he had taken the life of his wife at a hotel located in East Coast Road.

While the police did not initially disclose the name of the hotel, The Straits Times reported that the grim incident occurred at the Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong.

Upon receiving the alarming confession, officers swiftly made their way to the hotel room mentioned by the suspect, where they found the lifeless body of the woman, bearing a slash wound, lying motionless.

She was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.

The man, who had voluntarily turned himself in, was promptly arrested at the Marine Parade Neighbourhood Police Centre. A knife believed to be the murder weapon was discovered in the hotel room and seized as well.

The police have announced that the suspect will be charged with murder, and he is set to appear in court on Monday. In Singapore, individuals convicted of murder can face severe penalties, including the death penalty or life imprisonment coupled with caning.

A Community in Shock

The news of the murder quickly spread, and by 10 pm, the area around Katong Square was abuzz with at least four police vehicles.

Curious onlookers wondered why such a significant police presence was required. Hotel guests, who had been oblivious to the unfolding tragedy, expressed their astonishment at learning about it through the media rather than from the hotel staff.

Mr. Souren Tanwani, the owner of Butter and Spice eatery, located just across the road from the hotel, spoke to ST and described the incident as “alarming.” He recalled arriving at his eatery around 5.45 pm and seeing numerous police vehicles in the vicinity. The subsequent revelation that it was a murder sent chills down his spine.

The Mysterious Silence

In the midst of this tragic episode, the hotel remained tight-lipped. A hotel representative declined to comment on the incident and directed inquiries to the police for further information.

At the time of writing, police investigations into the alleged murder are currently underway, and the man is expected to be charged in court on Monday.