MAN ARRESTED WITHIN 5 HOURS FOR ASSISTING TO LAUNDER CRIMINAL PROCEEDS

The Police have arrested a 41-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a case of assisting to launder parts of criminal proceeds from a scam victim amounting to at least $273,800.

On 17 September 2023, the Police received a report that a victim was allegedly cheated by an unknown man whom she had gotten to know via social media. The victim withdrew large sums of cash over different dates and on one of the occasions, she handed about $150,000 to the man.

Through extensive investigations and follow-ups, officers from Central Police Division arrested the man on 17 September 2023 within 5 hours of the report. The accessories purportedly used by the man in the commission of crime were seized as case exhibits.

The man will be charged in court on 19 September 2023 with the offence of money laundering under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992, which carries an imprisonment term not exceeding 10 years, a fine not exceeding $500,000, or both.

The Police take a serious stance against any person involved in the laundering of proceeds of crime, and offenders will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law. To avoid being an accomplice to crimes, members of the public should reject requests from others to register companies, open bank accounts or receive money, as you may be held accountable if they are used for criminal activities.

Annex

Photograph of Exhibits Seized ▼

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
18 September 2023 @ 11:25 PM

Similar news

Earlier last month, Singapore saw a case of money laundering that involved more than $1.8 billion in criminal proceeds being foiled in one of Singapore’s largest anti-money laundering operations that saw 10 people arrested.

Singapore Minister of Law and Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, explained how the investigations into the now $1.8 billion money-laundering case came to be, in an interview with Lianhe Zaobao.

According to a transcript of the interview by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shanmugam said that the case is one of Singapore’s largest anti-money laundering operations, with more than 400 officers conducting the raids in 1 day that saw 10 people arrested.

He said that prior to the raids, there had been many months of investigations being conducted.

Snippets of Shanmugam’s explanation

The amount seized is now closer to $1.8 billion, and it could be even more. This is one of Singapore’s largest anti-money laundering operations. More than 400 officers conducted the raids on a single day and 10 persons were arrested.

The investigations leading to this, have been going on for many months. There is a lot of interest. You can understand, the amount of money, other assets that have been seized.

When it first came out, the amount was about a billion dollars. Now, as I have said, closer to $1.8 billion, so catches the imagination, of course, the pictures of the cars, the houses, and so on.

So it is entirely understandable the amount of interest, and we are a major financial services centre.

Matter is before the courts, so as you said, not much I can say, investigations are ongoing. I can tell you that 10 persons, as some people know, have been charged.

Siti Junaidah Azahar, a 22-year-old woman, recently pleaded guilty to one count of providing false information to a public servant, for a false rape accusation against two of her colleagues, with whom she had consensual intercourse, according to The Straits Times.

Background

Siti, along with M, A, and H, worked together at the grocery delivery service RedMart in August 2021. The incident in question occurred on September 6, 2021, when Siti lodged a police report at the Jurong West Neighbourhood Police Centre, alleging that she had been raped.

She claimed that the alleged incident took place in a hotel on Lavender Street, in a room with only one single bed. However, as investigations would later reveal, her statement was far from the truth.

The night of the alleged incident

According to Deputy Public Prosecutor Melissa Heng, Siti and her colleagues, along with another friend named Z, were in the hotel room on September 4, 2021, at around 11 pm, where they consumed alcohol, with Siti admitting to drinking around four cups of whisky. As a result, she felt tipsy and eventually dozed off on the bed.

Siti’s account of the night was that when she woke up, A, aged 20, was raping her, despite her trying to fight back. She further claimed that when she woke up again, H, aged 21, attempted to pull down her shorts but she managed to push him away.

This led to her departure from the hotel room at about 1am on September 6, when her aunt helped her to book a Grab ride.

Admitted to lying about the rape because no money to take Grab

Following her police report, the authorities initiated an investigation into the matter. The hotel room was meticulously processed, and various items, including leftover alcohol, mixer drinks, and linen, were seized as evidence. Moreover, A was arrested and interviewed, while H was also questioned by the police.

The turning point in the case came on September 8, 2021, during a subsequent interview with Siti. She confessed that her intercourse with A and H were consensual and she further admitted that she had fabricated the rape accusation in her police statements and report.

Siti’s admission raised questions about the motivations behind her false accusation. She explained that her deception was driven by her desire to leave the hotel room but she didn’t have money.

Faced with the prospect of being stranded, she resorted to sending a text message to her cousin, falsely claiming she was raped, in the hope that her aunt would agree to book her a Grab ride home.

Deputy Principal District Judge Kessler Soh has called for a probation report and adjourned sentencing until November. Those who provide false information to a public servant can face imprisonment of up to two years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

54-year-old Goh Jin Hian, the former chief executive officer of investment holding company New Silkroutes Group and the son of Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, was charged with 39 charges under the Securities and Futures Act on 20 September, according to Channel NewsAsia.

Understanding the Charges

Goh Jin Hian stands accused of conspiring with three other men to create a misleading appearance of the price of New Silkroutes’ securities.

These alleged manipulative actions took place on 31 trading days spanning from February 2018 to August 2018. The charges are serious and encompass a range of activities, including price manipulative orders, trades, and share buybacks conducted through the corporate trading account of New Silkroutes.

The Co-accused Individuals

Goh Jin Hian is not alone in facing these charges. He is joined by three other individuals who were associated with New Silkroutes:

1. Kelvyn Oo Cheong Kwan – A former executive director and chief corporate officer at New Silkroutes, aged 52.
2. William Teo Thiam Chuan – A former finance director at the group, aged 54.
3. Huang Yiwen – A commercial market maker engaged by New Silkroutes, aged 40.

All three of these co-accused individuals received 31 similar charges each, mirroring the allegations against Goh Jin Hian.

Huang is set to return to court in November while the other three men are set to return to court next month.

Legal Representation

The legal battle that ensued saw prominent legal representatives on both sides. Goh Jin Hian is being represented by Mr. Navin Thevar from Davinder Singh Chambers.

Kelvyn Oo Cheong Kwan is being represented by Senior Counsel N. Sreenivasan and Mr. S. Balamurugan from K&L Gates Straits Law.

William Teo Thiam Chuan is being represented by Mr. Thong Chee Kun and Ms. Ng Pei Qi from Rajah & Tann.

Huang Yiwen is being represented by Ms. Diana Ngiam and Ms. Joyce Khoo from Quahe Woo & Palmer.

Goh’s Journey at New Silkroutes

Goh Jin Hian’s association with New Silkroutes dates back several years. He assumed the role of CEO of the group in June 2015 before becoming the chairman in 2020. However, in October 2020, he made a significant announcement on the Singapore Exchange (SGX), stating that he had stepped down as chairman, citing the need to devote more time to his personal affairs.

Coincidentally, during the same period, his co-accused, William Teo Thiam Chuan, also resigned to “focus on personal matters”.

The Investigation and Legal Proceedings

The charges brought against Goh Jin Hian and his co-accused stem from a joint investigation conducted by the police’s Commercial Affairs Department and the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Potential Outcomes

As these legal proceedings unfold, the four individuals find themselves facing significant consequences if convicted. Each charge carries the potential for a jail term of up to seven years, a hefty fine of up to S$250,000 (US$183,100), or both.

A 15-year-old male teenager was arrested for allegedly robbing another person at a convenience store in Tampines with a knife.

The robbery allegedly took place in the early hours of 18 September, and he purportedly made off with $827 in cash and cigarettes worth about $181.20.

Happened at Tampines Central Convenience Store

The crime unfolded at a convenience store located in Tampines Central.

On September 19, the Singapore Police Force received an alert regarding the incident, which took place at 5:36 am on the previous day.

Preliminary investigations revealed a terrifying scenario where the young boy reportedly used a knife to demand cash amounting to S$827 and cigarettes valued at S$181.20.

Arrest and Recovery: A Swift Resolution

Remarkably, within 10 hours of the crime, the authorities apprehended the young suspect. This swift response was made possible through ground enquiries and the use of images from police cameras and closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage.

Notably, law enforcement officers from the Bedok Police Division played a key role in this operation. During the arrest, the stolen cigarettes and a portion of the cash, amounting to S$30, were successfully recovered.

Facing the Consequences: Legal Ramifications

The legal implications for the 15-year-old are significant. On September 20, 2023, he is scheduled to be charged with armed robbery.

In Singapore, the offence of robbery carries severe penalties, including an imprisonment term ranging from three to 14 years and a mandatory minimum of 12 strokes of the cane.

These consequences serve as a stark reminder of the seriousness of such criminal acts and the commitment of the legal system to uphold justice.

Similar news

A ten-year-old boy was previously reported to have skipped school to take part in a high-profile robbery case in Hong Kong at a “VIP Station” watch store in Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui district on September 11, according to the South China Morning Post.

It has been reported that he was allegedly paid HK$5,000 (about S$870) to skip school and join the criminal escapade, according to HK01.

The young boy, standing at approximately 1.7 meters tall, concealed his school uniform with a jacket. During the heist, he shockingly wielded a knife and actively participated in the theft of luxury watches.

Closer to home, 2 men were arrested in Singapore 2 weeks ago for robbing a man along Tampines Street 22 and taking his wallet and phone, with the victim allegedly being assaulted in the process and sent to the hospital.

Former “Singapore Idol” judge Ken Lim Chih Chiang finds himself in legal trouble once again. On September 20, the 59-year-old was slapped with a seventh charge, according to Channel NewsAsia.

This time, he stands accused of insulting the modesty of a woman during a discussion about a career in music. The allegations are serious, and they add to a list of previous charges spanning from 1998 to 2013.

The most recent charge against Ken Lim Chih Chiang revolves around an incident that allegedly occurred on July 25, 2012.

According to the latest charge sheet, during a conversation about a career in music, Lim allegedly made inappropriate remarks to a woman, asking her, “are you a virgin” and “what if I have s– with you right now.”

The incident is said to have taken place between 7pm and 10:30pm at the Hype Records office.

Lim is currently facing seven charges in total involving five alleged victims. The identities of these victims are protected by a court-issued gag order.

Recap

He was previously charged earlier this year for allegedly molesting a 25-year-old woman at his Hype Records office back in 2021, before being hauled back to court on 28 June to face an additional 5 more charges for insulting the modesty of three women.

Lim’s legal troubles began earlier this year when he was charged with allegedly molesting a 25-year-old woman at the Hype Records office on November 23, 2021. The specific allegation involved inappropriate touching of the woman’s chest through skin-to-skin contact.

In addition to the initial charge, four new charges have been brought against Lim. These charges pertain to incidents that occurred between 1998 and 2013, all taking place in the Hype Records office. These incidents involve three female artistes associated with the record label.

According to the charge sheets, Lim allegedly made suggestive remarks to the artistes regarding their songwriting. In one instance, he asked a female artiste about her virginity, questioning how she could write deeper songs if she lacked experience with intercourse.

Another allegation claims that Lim requested a female artiste to write her “obscene fantasies as homework” while offering himself as a potential partner. Moreover, there are reports of Lim gesturing and insinuating obscene activities when conversing with one of the artistes, suggesting a transactional nature.

One of the charges involves an incident that occurred between 1998 and 1999 at Lim’s home. It is alleged that he showed one of the victims an obscene video featuring a woman engaging in intercourse with multiple men.

If convicted for insulting a woman’s modesty, Lim could face imprisonment for up to one year, a fine, or both. In the case of molestation, the potential penalties include imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, caning, or any combination thereof. However, as Lim is above the age of 50, caning would not apply in his case.