A 44-year-old Singaporean man has been fined S$60,000 for illegally importing replica firearms and reselling them on platforms such as Carousell and Telegram.
The man, identified as Ng, admitted to bringing in the imitation weapons without the necessary permits, a violation of the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act. He pleaded guilty in court and was sentenced on 2 September.
Authorities revealed that Ng had sourced the replicas from Chinese e-commerce site Taobao, after finding that similar products on Carousell were being sold for about S$380 each. On Taobao, however, he paid as little as S$35 per piece, reported Shin Min Daily News.
Bulk Orders to Save Costs
Ng initially bought just five units but later expanded his purchases to larger shipments in order to reduce delivery costs. Between March and May 2023, he brought in two shipments worth about S$3,200, paying S$300 to S$400 in delivery charges for each consignment.
He then listed the items on Carousell and Telegram, advertising them at below-market prices, with the highest priced item at S$288. At least three successful transactions were completed before the authorities were alerted.
The police were tipped off on 11 May 2023, leading to a raid on Ng’s residence at Race Course Lane on 26 May, where the replica guns were seized.
Aware of the Law but Continued Anyway
Investigations later found that Ng had been aware, since March 2023, that selling replica guns without police approval was illegal. Despite this, he pressed ahead with his sideline business.
Prosecutors sought a fine between S$60,000 and S$70,000, but Ng’s lawyer pleaded for leniency, citing his cooperation with investigations and lack of prior offences. The judge imposed a S$60,000 penalty, allowing Ng to pay half immediately and the remainder in instalments.
The case highlights the risks of trying to profit from restricted items online, especially as authorities tighten enforcement on e-commerce and social media marketplaces.