Frog Porridge Boss Allegedly Hid Millions, Ends Up With Lamborghini, Landed House And 30 Charges

Running a successful food business is one thing. Allegedly hiding millions from the taxman while cruising around in a Lamborghini is apparently another.

The owner of Eminent Frog Porridge, 49-year-old Buntono, was charged in court on July 3 after a joint investigation by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) and the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD).

According to authorities, the businessman faces a total of 30 charges involving income tax evasion, GST evasion, money laundering and failing to maintain proper business records.

Investigators alleged that Buntono understated his business income for multiple years between 2016 and 2024, resulting in nearly S$2 million in unpaid income tax.

As if that was not enough, he is also accused of deliberately avoiding GST registration requirements and understating business revenue, leading to almost S$1.8 million in unpaid GST.

That brings the total alleged tax shortfall to around S$3.8 million.

From Frog Porridge To Supercar?

Authorities further alleged that proceeds from the tax offences were used to acquire various assets.

Among the items listed in the money laundering charges were more than S$2.4 million in cash, a Lamborghini Aventador and a landed property.

For many Singaporeans struggling with rising costs, seeing a frog porridge business allegedly generate enough hidden cash to fund a supercar and landed home might raise a few eyebrows.

The Lamborghini, in particular, has become one of the most eye-catching details of the case, proving that if there is one thing more expensive than owning a supercar in Singapore, it may be explaining where the money came from.

IRAS Issues Warning

IRAS said it takes a serious view of tax evasion and warned that offenders can face penalties of up to four times the amount of tax evaded, in addition to possible jail terms.

The authority also reminded businesses that GST registration becomes compulsory once taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million, or is expected to exceed that amount within the next 12 months.

Businesses that fail to register are still required to pay GST on transactions dating back to when registration should have taken place, even if GST was never collected from customers.

In other words, pretending the tax bill does not exist does not make it disappear.

Whistleblowers Can Earn Up To S$100,000

IRAS also highlighted its reward scheme for informants.

Individuals who provide information leading to successful tax recovery may receive up to 15 per cent of the recovered amount, capped at S$100,000.

That means some people might be discovering that talking to IRAS can occasionally be more profitable than keeping secrets.

The case remains before the courts, and Buntono has not been convicted of the charges. As with all criminal proceedings, the allegations will have to be tested in court before any determination of guilt is made.

For now, one thing is certain: frog porridge was supposed to be the item on the menu, not tax evasion charges.