Two of the suspects who were arrested in the police raid against money laundering are reportedly wanted by the China police for a number of crimes and fleeing abroad.

They are namely 42-year-old Turkish national Vang Shuiming and Cambodian national 33-year-old Chen Qingyuan, who are part of the now-infamous Fujian Gang.

The “Fujian Gang” is a shadowy criminal organization with a sprawling network encompassing multiple illicit activities. Operating from the Fujian province of China, this syndicate has been implicated in a myriad of offenses ranging from illegal gambling to money laundering. The group’s reach extends beyond national borders, making it a complex challenge for law enforcement agencies.

The Enigmatic Suspects: Vang Shuiming and Chen Qingyuan

Vang Shuiming: A Turkish Connection

Vang Shuiming, known by the surname Wang, emerged as a pivotal figure in the “Fujian Gang.” His apprehension took place in a Class Bungalow located along Bishopsgate in Singapore’s Tanglin area. However, his notoriety extends far beyond this arrest.

In August 2022, the public security bureau in Zibo, Shandong province, China, issued a warrant for Vang’s arrest due to his alleged involvement in an illegal gambling syndicate. He was one of nine individuals who had fled abroad as a response to the investigations.

Vang is entangled with a syndicate that was previously dismantled in May 2022, during which authorities seized over 10 million yuan (S$1.88 million) in illicit funds.

Chen Qingyuan: A Cambodian Connection

Chen Qingyuan, a Cambodian national, found himself ensnared in the tendrils of the “Fujian Gang.” He was apprehended within a condominium along Leonie Hill Road in Singapore’s River Valley area. However, his legal issues date back even further.

Chen’s alleged role in money laundering led to his arrest, and he now faces a charge in this regard. The public security bureau in Anxi County, Fujian province, China, had previously published a list of suspects wanted for various offenses in 2019.

Notably, Chen’s identification number featured on this list, underscoring the depth of his involvement in the activities of the “Fujian Gang.”

A recent islandwide money laundering raid in Singapore, resulting in the confiscation of over S$1 billion in assets, cash, and items, has shed light on the potential involvement of approximately 60 real estate agents.

These agents are suspected to have played a role in facilitating property sales to the 10 individuals apprehended during the operation, according to Lianhe Zaobao.

The Money Laundering Raid

On August 18th, news broke about a substantial money laundering operation in Singapore that led to the arrest of 10 individuals. This operation yielded assets valued at more than S$1 billion.

According to sources, around 60 real estate agents are believed to have participated in the sale of properties to these arrested individuals. The agents are expected to provide assistance in the ongoing investigations.

High-Value Property Transactions

Among the individuals arrested, one stands out as a significant player in high-value property transactions. This person, believed to be a Chinese buyer, reportedly purchased 20 units at CanningHill Piers in Clarke Quay for an estimated S$85 million in May 2022.

Additionally, it was revealed that another suspect, Su Baolin, had previously bought a sea-facing bungalow in Sentosa Cove for over S$39.33 million. This property transaction raised eyebrows due to its substantial value and Su’s background.

Due Diligence Obligations for Real Estate Agents

The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) enforces stringent due diligence obligations for real estate agents to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing. These regulations require agents to perform thorough checks on clients before entering into any business relationships.

The measures encompass a due diligence checklist, a list of “suspicious indicators” that involve client behavior, and cross-referencing client details with international databases, including sources like the Panama Papers.

Real estate agents are mandated by law to report any transactions or activities that appear suspicious to the Commercial Affairs Department.

Notably, reluctance on the client’s part to provide identifying information that links them to the property is a telltale sign that might prompt an agent to file a suspicious transaction report. These reports are crucial for maintaining transparency and deterring illicit activities within the real estate sector.

Implications for the Real Estate Industry

The involvement of real estate agents in money laundering activities raises concerns about the integrity of the industry. As the authorities tighten regulations, the onus falls on agents to exercise due diligence when dealing with clients.

The implementation of the full due diligence requirements on July 30, 2021, underscores the need for vigilance and careful scrutiny to curb potential money laundering and terrorism financing activities.

The National Day Rally (NDR) is a significant event in Singapore, where the Prime Minister shares his plans for the nation’s future. However, during this year’s NDR on August 20th, Law & Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam was noticeably absent, raising questions among netizens. This absence isn’t new; in fact, Mr. Shanmugam has earned the moniker “designated survivor” due to his consistent exclusion from major national events. In this article, we delve into the reasons behind his absence and the crucial role he plays in Singapore’s governance.

K Shanmugam’s Absence

The absence of Law & Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam from major national events, including the NDR, has not gone unnoticed. While most Cabinet ministers attended the Prime Minister’s speech in person, Mr. Shanmugam was notably absent. He took to social media, particularly Facebook, to address the curiosity surrounding his absence and shed light on the role he plays during these events.

K Shanmugam’s consistent absence from events with the full Cabinet has led to an interesting nickname: Singapore’s “designated survivor.”

This term draws inspiration from the popular concept seen in movies and TV shows, where a designated individual is kept away from a major event to ensure the continuity of leadership in case of a catastrophic incident.

The Minister’s Explanation

On August 22nd, K Shanmugam explained his absence from the NDR through a detailed post on his Facebook and Instagram accounts. He acknowledged that he is frequently asked about his non-attendance at major events and stated that he gives the same response every year. The Law Minister clarified that during significant gatherings where the entire Cabinet is present, he remains outside as a precautionary measure.

Mr. Shanmugam elaborated on the rationale behind his absence. As the Law & Home Affairs Minister, he shoulders the responsibility of being ready to handle any unforeseen incidents that might arise during these events. By staying outside the gathering, he ensures that he can take immediate action in case of emergencies or critical situations.

Shanmugam’s statement

[Absent from NDR]

A few have asked me about my absence from PM’s NDR.

I get asked this every year, and I give the same answer

We have major Events, like NDP, NDR, attended by the full Cabinet. I am often the Minister designated to stay outside of these Events. If any incident takes place, I will have to deal with the situation.

Thus I haven’t attended major events (when the Cabinet is present at the event ), for some years now.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by K Shanmugam (@kshanmugam_)

On August 22nd, presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian addressed the media following his nomination speech on Nomination Day. He took the opportunity to address the recent controversy that had erupted over his past Facebook posts, particularly the remarks he made about “pretty girls.”

During the conference, Mr. Tan passionately discussed the allegations against him and shed light on what he believes to be allegedly a smear campaign from a political party, according to Channel NewsAsia.

The Allegations and Their Origins

One of the primary topics that Mr. Tan addressed during the media conference was the allegations surrounding his remarks about “pretty girls.”

These remarks had garnered attention and raised concerns, particularly from women’s advocacy group AWARE Singapore.

Mr. Tan emphasized that he had intended no harm with his compliments, explaining that he viewed these compliments as harmless acknowledgments of the effort that some women put into their appearance.

Mr. Tan didn’t stop at addressing the controversy itself; he also delved into the allegations of a smear campaign against him. According to him, these smear campaigns have been ongoing for over a decade and have been primarily orchestrated by a political party, which he feels disappointed by.

Relations with Other Candidates

In the midst of these allegations, Mr. Tan took a moment to clarify that he does not believe his fellow candidates Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Ng Kok Song were involved in the smear campaign.

He recounted his conversation with Ng Kok Song, who assured him that such actions were not condoned by his team. However, Mr. Tan also voiced uncertainty about whether Ng Kok Song was fully aware of actions taken on his behalf.

Media’s Role and Portrayal

Mr. Tan didn’t shy away from discussing his concerns about media portrayal. He highlighted the role of media in perpetuating negative narratives, especially those that may not have substantial basis.

He questioned the media’s responsibility in turning seemingly trivial matters into significant issues, eroding trust and credibility in the process. Mr. Tan stressed that the public trusts the media to be fair and honest, and he urged for a more responsible approach in covering stories.

Addressing AWARE’s Concerns

Mr. Tan also directly addressed the concerns raised by AWARE Singapore. He expressed a desire to communicate with the group to understand their perspective better. He questioned what exactly they found offensive in his remarks and wished for a platform to engage in a meaningful dialogue.

Mr. Tan acknowledged that his compliments were intended as positive gestures and expressed bewilderment over how they had been turned into a negative point.

While Mr. Tan remained steadfast in his belief that his remarks were not intended to offend, he did take a moment to apologize to anyone who might have felt uncomfortable by his comments.

He shared that he has a wife, two daughters, and three granddaughters, emphasizing his respect for women and his commitment to treating them with dignity.

He conveyed his hope that the media would convey his message accurately, reflecting his true intentions rather than distorting his character.

Recap

MAN ARRESTED FOR ROBBERY WITHIN 24 HOURS

The Police have arrested a 48-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of robbery.

On 20 August 2023 at about 12.15am, the Police were alerted to a case of robbery along Woodlands Avenue 7. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had allegedly robbed the victim of her handbag containing cash of about S$10 and some miscellaneous items.

Through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from Police cameras and CCTV footages, officers from Woodlands Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him within 24 hours of the report. A blue handbag belonging to the victim was recovered.

The man will be charged in court on 22 August 2023 for the offence of Robbery, under Section 392 of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term of not less than 3 years and not more than 14 years, and at least 12 strokes of the cane.

The Police will spare no effort to arrest those who commit violent crimes. When confronted with a robbery, members of the public are advised to remain calm, take note of the physical appearance and distinctive features of the perpetrator, and call for the Police as soon as possible.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
21 August 2023 @ 5:00 PM

Similar incidents

Early last month, a 38-year-old man was arrested by the Singapore Police Force in connection with an attempted robbery that took place on 15 July 2023. The swift action of the authorities led to the apprehension of the suspect within a mere five hours after the incident occurred.

The attempted robbery transpired at approximately 8.10 am on 15 July 2023 at a minimart situated along Lorong 1 Toa Payoh. According to preliminary investigations, the suspect, armed with a knife, allegedly tried to rob the sole attendant present at the minimart during the time of the incident. However, the perpetrator’s efforts were thwarted when the vigilant victim called out for assistance, causing the man to flee the scene empty-handed.

Responding promptly to the alert, officers from Tanglin Police Division initiated immediate ground inquiries. Utilizing images from both Police cameras and CCTV footage, the law enforcement authorities were able to successfully identify the suspect, leading to his arrest within a remarkably short period.

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