In a startling episode that has captured both national and international attention, Su Haijin, a 40-year-old Cypriot national, leaped from a bungalow to elude arrest during an anti-money laundering operation tied to a staggering $1 billion in cash and assets.
S’pore’s biggest anti-money laundering raid
A Brief Background
Su Haijin’s connection to No Signboard Holdings came to light during a comprehensive search on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra).
The findings revealed that Su served as a director of the restaurant operator from October 2021 to June 2022. Notably, the company’s 2021 annual report, filed in the previous October, indicated that Su held a substantial 20 percent stake in the organization.
Despite holding a significant stake, Su Haijin voluntarily resigned from his position as a non-executive director. The reason for his departure was attributed to his desire to focus on other personal commitments.
A spokesperson for the company clarified that Su had not been directly involved in the company’s day-to-day business operations, nor had he participated in board meetings or decision-making processes.
Unfolding of the Blitz
The Arrest and Charges
The alarming incident took place as part of a broader crackdown on money laundering. Su Haijin, alongside nine other foreign nationals from Fujian, faced a series of charges that included money laundering, and resisting arrest.
The suspects, ranging in age from 31 to 44, were apprehended following a meticulously coordinated operation involving more than 400 officers from various law enforcement departments.
The suspects were believed to be interconnected, and notably, none of them held Singaporean citizenship or permanent residency. Among the 10 individuals charged, three were Chinese nationals, three were Cambodian, two were Cypriot, and the remaining two originated from Turkey and Ni-Vanuatu.
Su Haijin stood out with the highest number of appointments among the arrested group.
Connections and Holdings
A closer look at Su Haijin’s background revealed his multifaceted engagements. He held positions as a shareholder and director in Aiqinhai Investment, as well as at Daily Glory International, a mobile phone dealership.
The Astonishing Escape
An Unexpected Maneuver
The most attention-grabbing element of this narrative was Su Haijin’s attempt to evade arrest. As officers approached his residence, Su purportedly jumped from the second-floor balcony of his lavish bungalow at Ewart Park near Holland Road, resulting in the fracture of his hands and legs. He was eventually found hiding in a drain by the police and arrested.
A Bizarre Explanation
During the court proceedings, Su offered an intriguing explanation for his drastic actions. He claimed that he thought the knocks on his door were orchestrated by an individual intent on trying to kill him.
He also alleged that he got intimate with a woman in Dubai, and the woman’s boyfriend had been threatening to kill him as a result.
Su’s hearing into his case is set to resume next week.