Update 28 Jul 2024: The convictions of the 10 charged, their sentences & deportation
Su Wenqiang, Su Haijin, Wang Baosen. Su Baolin, Zhang Ruijin, Vang Shuiming, Chen Qingyuan, Lin Baoying, Wang Dehai, Su Jianfeng
- Su Wenqiang - 1st convicted, sentenced to 13 mths, deported to Cambodia
- Su Haijin - 2nd convicted, sentenced to 14 mths, deported to Cambodia
- Wang Baosen - 3rd convicted, sentenced to 13 mths, deported to Cambodia
- Su Baolin - 4th convicted, sentenced to 14 mths, deported to Cambodia
- Zhang Ruijin - 5th convicted, sentenced to 15 mths, deported to Cambodia
- Vang Shuiming - 6th convicted, sentenced to 13 mths, deported to Japan
- Chen Qingyuan - 7th convicted, sentenced to 15 mths, deported to Cambodia
- Lin Baoying - 8th convicted, sentenced to 15 mths, deported to Cambodia
- Wang Dehai - 9th convicted, sentenced to 16 mths, deported to UK
- Su Jianfeng - 10th convicted, sentenced to longest 17 mths, deported to Cambodia
Last of 10 offenders deported to Cambodia
Su Jianfeng, the last of the 10 offenders in Singapore’s S$3 billion money laundering probe, appears in court via Zoom video-call for sentencing on Jun 10, 2024
Su Jianfeng, the last of 10 people convicted in the S$3 billion money laundering case, has been deported to Cambodia. He was deported on Jul 26 and barred from re-entering Singapore, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said on Sunday (Jul 28) in response to queries from CNA.
“Su is the last of the 10 accused persons arrested on Aug 15, 2023, and convicted and sentenced for money laundering and other offences, to be deported,” added ICA. Su, a 36-year-old Vanuatu national with roots in Fujian, China, was given 17 months’ jail on Jun 10. He was the last of 10 offenders to be sentenced in the multibillion-dollar money laundering probe in Singapore that cast a light on foreign nationals buying up luxury properties in the country. The case, which concluded in June, involved billions of dollars worth of assets such as hard cash, luxury properties, branded goods, cryptocurrency and alcohol.
About S$944 million (US$697 million) in assets seized in relation to the 10 criminals was forfeited to the state. Su’s jail term was the longest of the nine men and one woman prosecuted over the case, where illegal proceeds from Southeast Asian gambling centres aimed at Chinese punters were converted into luxury goods and properties in Singapore’s priciest neighbourhoods.
Ninth convict in $3b money laundering case deported to the UK
Wang Dehai was deported on July 6 after serving about 11 months of his 16-month jail term. FOTO:CHINA POLICE
Wang Dehai, the last of 10 foreigners to plead guilty in the $3 billion money laundering case, has been deported to the UK. He was deported on July 6 after serving about 11 months of his 16-month jail term. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) told The Straits Times on July 8 that Wang, 35, has been barred from re-entering Singapore.
Wang’s deportation means that nine of the 10 convicted in Singapore’s largest money laundering case have left the country. Su Wenqiang and Wang Baosen were the first two convicted men to leave Singapore on May 6. They were deported to Cambodia after serving about 8½ months of their 13-month jail terms.
Su Baolin and Su Haijin were deported to Cambodia on May 25 and 28, respectively, while Vang Shuiming was deported to Japan on June 1. Su Baolin and Su Haijin were each sentenced to 14 months’ jail in April. Vang was sentenced to 13 months and six weeks’ jail in May. The three men each served around 9½ months of their jail terms. Chen Qingyuan, Zhang Ruijin and Lin Baoying were deported to Cambodia on June 15. They were each sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment and served 10 months of their jail terms. This leaves Su Jianfeng, who was sentenced to 17 months’ jail in June, as the last convict in this case to still be in Singapore.
Convicted foreigners deported to countries based on where their passports allow them to enter: Sun Xuelin
Foreigners who have been convicted of offences in Singapore and are to be deported can indicate which country they would like to be deported to, said Minister of State for Home Affairs and for Social and Family Development Sun Xueling on Tuesday (Jul 2).
But it is not a case of the offenders saying “I choose and therefore I will be sent there”, said Ms Sun in response to a parliamentary question by Ms Sylvia Lim (WP-Aljunied). “There needs to be an assessment by the ministry as to whether or not the individual can be admissible to the country, based on the travel document that he or she holds,” she explained.
Ms Lim had asked about the considerations taken into account when deciding which countries convicted foreigners get deported to after serving their sentences, and how the considerations applied to the offenders involved in the recent billion-dollar money laundering case. In response, Ms Sun had said: “Such foreigners can go to any country to which their passport or travel document allows them to go. This applies similarly to the convicted foreigners in the S$3 billion (US$2.21 billion) money laundering case.” The case, which involved 10 foreigners and assets such as hard cash, luxury properties, branded goods, cryptocurrency and alcohol, thrust the issue of money laundering into the spotlight in Singapore. As of 6 July 2024 nine of the 10 had been deported.
S$3 billion anti-money laundering bust wraps up with 10th and final individual jailed
The 10 accused are (clockwise from top left) Su Baolin, Su Haijin, Chen Qingyuan, Su Wenqiang, Lin Baoying, Zhang Ruijin, Wang Dehai, Su Jianfeng, Vang Shuiming and Wang Baosen. ST ILLUSTRATIONS: CEL GULAPA
IT WAS a whirlwind anti-money laundering bust involving billions of dollars that took Singapore by storm.
Now, nearly 10 months after an islandwide blitz that involved over 400 officers from various police departments, the 10 foreign nationals who were arrested have been sentenced to jail.
The last of the 10, Su Jianfeng, was on Monday (Jun 10) sentenced to 17 months, backdated to his date of arrest – Aug 15, 2023.
S$944 million in total forfeited to state as one of Singapore's largest money laundering cases concludes
The probe, which began in 2021 with tip-offs on a group of foreigners using forged documents to launder money in Singapore, led to the simultaneous arrests of nine men and one woman - with origins in China - in moneyed estates around the island in August 2023. In the months following the arrests, billions of dollars worth of assets linked to the offenders and other suspects on the run have been seized - including hard cash, luxury properties, branded goods, cryptocurrency and alcohol.
The offenders all pleaded guilty to various crimes, including money laundering, using forged bank documents and other related offences, such as lying to the Manpower Ministry to obtain work passes to enter Singapore. They were sentenced to between 13 and 17 months' jail. The 10th criminal, 36-year-old Vanuatu national Su Jianfeng, was sentenced to the longest jail term on Monday (Jun 10), bringing the saga to a close. In a statement after the hearing, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said the value of assets linked to the 10 offenders total more than S$1 billion to date.
10 convicted, 17 on the run; police are after the rest
The police seized and issued with prohibition of disposal orders for $3 billion in cash and assets belonging to the 27 individuals. PHOTOS: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
On June 7, Cypriot national Wang Dehai was sentenced to 16 months’ jail over one money laundering charge. He is the last of the 10 foreigners arrested in connection with the case to be convicted.
The authorities are now turning their attention to the 17 individuals who fled the country amid the probe, and others, including Singaporeans, who helped facilitate the nation’s largest money laundering case.
$3b money laundering probe widens: 17 other foreigners linked to bulk of cash, assets seized
The police will maintain the prohibition against disposal and custody of the seized assets until the assets are dealt with by the court at the conclusion of the case. PHOTOS: ST FILE, SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
The $3 billion in cash and assets seized or issued with prohibition of disposal orders in Singapore’s largest money laundering case belonged to 27 individuals, and not just the 10 hauled to court on various charges.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, the police on June 5 said 17 other individuals are under investigation in relation to the case.
The police added that they will maintain the prohibition against disposal and custody of seized assets until the assets are dealt with by the court at the conclusion of the case.
Police have incurred $646k so far to maintain assets seized in $3b money laundering case
The expenses were incurred for the storage, maintenance and safeguarding of the seized assets. PHOTOS: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
Almost $650,000 has been spent by the authorities for the upkeep of assets seized in relation to Singapore’s largest money laundering case.
On May 7, Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam said the expenses were incurred for the storage, maintenance and safeguarding of the seized assets, which included properties, vehicles and luxury goods such as branded bags, watches and alcohol. He said expenses included engaging specialised services from industry partners or service providers to oversee the handling, upkeep and value preservation of the assets.
He said: “As of March 2024, police have incurred about $646,282 in such expenses. These expenses are borne by the state. They are covered by the forfeited cash, and the proceeds of sale of the forfeited non-cash assets, which are channelled to the state.”
Su Jianfeng sentenced to longest jail term of 17 months, last of 10 to be sent to jail
Vanuatu national Su Jianfeng, who is originally from China, had pleaded guilty on June 6 to money laundering and forgery. PHOTO: FIDU PROPERTIES
Dubai property broker Su Jianfeng has been sentenced to 17 months’ jail, making him the last of the 10 foreigners arrested in an anti-money laundering blitz in August 2023 to be sent to jail.
The 36-year-old Vanuatu national, who is originally from China, had pleaded guilty on June 6 to money laundering and forgery.
Another 12 charges were taken into consideration. They range from forgery and money laundering, to manpower-related offences for hiring a personal chef without a valid work pass.
10th Money launderer Su Jianfeng convicted; sentencing adjourned to Monday
The 36-year-old Vanuatu national pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes Act and one count of forgery. These charges aside, Su Jianfeng faces three counts of money laundering, seven counts of forgery and two charges under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, which were taken into consideration by the judge for sentencing purposes.
After hearing submissions from the prosecution and defence on sentencing and mitigation, District Judge James Lee adjourned the proceedings, and will deliver his sentence on Monday.
9th offender in S$3 billion money laundering case gets 16 months' jail
Wang Dehai pleaded guilty on Jun 7, 2024 in the State Courts
The last of 10 individuals prosecuted in the S$3 billion (US$2.2 billion) money laundering case pleaded guilty in court on Friday (Jun 7) and was handed the longest jail term so far at 16 months.
Wang Dehai, 35, faced six charges, two of which are related to money laundering, while the rest are employment offences. The Cypriot was nabbed with nine other foreigners during simultaneous raids islandwide in 2023.
On Aug 15, 2023, Wang had S$2,299,950 in cash that was suspected to be benefits from remote gambling offences. He failed to account for how he came by the money. He pleaded guilty to this charge, while the rest were taken into consideration for his sentencing.
Three more men in $3 billion money laundering case deported to Cambodia, Japan
(From left) Su Baolin, Su Haijin and Vang Shuiming were deported from Singapore on May 25, May 28 and June 1 respectively. PHOTOS: COURT DOCUMENTS
Three more men convicted in Singapore’s largest money laundering case have been deported, said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on June 2. Cambodian national Su Baolin, 42, and Cypriot national Su Haijin, 41, were deported to Cambodia on May 25 and 28, respectively. Turkish national Vang Shuiming, 43, was deported to Japan on June 1.
According to court documents, Vang holds passports from China, Vanuatu and Turkey. ICA had said in April that the “location of deportation (of the convicts) is dependent on the admissibility of the foreigner based on his or her valid passport”.
All three men, who are originally from Fujian, China, are barred from re-entering Singapore. So far, five of the eight convicted money launderers in the case have been deported.
Woman, the 8th suspect to be dealt with, gets 15 months' jail, forfeits S$154 million in seized assets
Lin Baoying, the only woman among the 10 people charged, was the eighth suspect to be dealt with in the case
Lin Baoying, the only woman among 10 suspects in Singapore's multibillion-dollar money laundering crackdown, was sentenced to 15 months in jail on Thursday (May 30).
The 44-year-old Chinese national pleaded guilty to three out of 10 charges, with the remainder considered for sentencing. She was convicted on one count of money laundering and two counts of fraudulently using a forged document.
Lin was the eighth suspect to be dealt with in the case. The 10 individuals were arrested during a simultaneous raid on Aug 15, 2023.
7th man jailed for 15 months, forfeiting $21.3m of assets to state
Over $23 million worth of assets were seized from Cambodian national Chen Qingyuan. PHOTO: COURT DOCUMENTS
He is the first of the seven foreigners convicted so far to appear in court in person. The other six had attended court proceedings via video link. Chen faced 10 charges in total, including four money laundering charges. The other six charges were forgery-related. Of the over $23 million in assets seized from Chen after his arrest on Aug 15, 2023, about 90 per cent – or $21.3 million – will be forfeited to the state.
Nine other foreigners were arrested that day when the police conducted simultaneous raids islandwide in a money laundering probe that saw more than $3 billion in assets seized.
Sixth suspect jailed, forfeits largest sum yet of S$180 million
Vang Shuiming faced a total of 22 charges in Singapore's multibillion-dollar money laundering case. (Illustration: Rafa Estrada)
The suspect with the highest number of charges in Singapore's multibillion-dollar money laundering crackdown was sentenced to 13 months and six weeks' jail on Tuesday (May 14). Vang Shuiming, 43, faced a total of 22 charges. He pleaded guilty to three of them, and the remainder were considered for sentencing.
His offences involved the possession of about S$2.4 million (US$1.8 million) in suspected criminal proceeds, and the use of documents he had reason to believe were forged. He also voluntarily forfeited about S$180 million in assets to the state. This is the largest amount that any accused person in the money laundering case has forfeited so far.
It came out of more than S$198 million in assets seized from him, including assets that he paid for but were held in the name of his wife, Wang Ruiyan. These included 10 apartments in Clarke Quay and one at Tomlinson Road that are under construction, and four apartments in the Beach Road area. Other items included a S$240,000 Kawai grand piano, a green Rolls-Royce Phantom worth S$1.8 million and a white Bentley Flying Spur worth S$1.3 million. More than S$137,000 in donations were also surrendered and held in police custody.
Two men convicted in $3b money laundering case deported to Cambodia
Su Wenqiang (left) & Wang Baosen, both 32, will be barred from re-entering Singapore. FOTO: CHINA POLICE, ST FILE
Su Wenqiang and Wang Baosen, both 32, will be barred from re-entering Singapore, an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) spokesman said on May 6. They are among 10 foreigners arrested in a money laundering probe in August 2023 that saw more than $3 billion in cash and assets seized.
ICA had said in April that the “location of deportation (of the convicts) is dependent on the admissibility of the foreigner based on his or her valid passport”.
related:
15 months' jail for fifth person, longest jail term so far
An illustration of Zhang Ruijin, a suspect in the billion-dollar money laundering case in Spore. Image:Jeremy Long/Lydia Lam
A 45-year-old man linked to Singapore’s largest money laundering case was sentenced to 15 months' jail on Tuesday (Apr 30).
Zhang Ruijin was also ordered to forfeit around S$118 million of his assets to the state. This amounts to about 90 per cent of the S$131 million worth of assets originally seized by the police.
He is the fifth of 10 accused persons to be dealt with in relation to the case. Zhang pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two counts of forgery-related offences and one of failing to satisfactorily account for property reasonably suspected to be benefits from criminal conduct. Another five similar charges were taken into consideration for his sentencing.
Fourth man in $3b money-laundering case sentenced to 14 months' jail
On April 29, Su Baolin was sentenced to 14 months' jail after pleading guilty to three charges.
PHOTO: The Straits Times file
Su Baolin, one of the 10 foreigners in Singapore's largest money-laundering case, made millions from his role in illegal online gambling operations abroad, said prosecutors.
He got the money into Singapore by funnelling it through his accomplices and cryptocurrency platforms to make it hard for the authorities to detect his crimes. And when the police found a large sum of money in his bungalow, he lied that he had won the money by gambling in casinos.
On April 29, Su was sentenced to 14 months' jail after pleading guilty to three charges — two for money laundering and one for abetting false representations made to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras).
Third accused convicted, sentenced to 13 months’ jail
With one-third remission, Wang Baosen may be out by early May. ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA
Baosen pleaded guilty on April 16 to two charges. Six other charges were taken into consideration. He admitted to using over $1.4 million from a company, Hornet Bee International Trading, to pay for 10 per cent of the purchase price of an upscale condominium unit in Orchard Road. Baosen also admitted to possessing nearly $600,000 in an HSBC bank account in Singapore, with the monies suspected to be proceeds from illicit gambling offences.
Of the 10 foreigners involved in this money laundering case, three have been convicted and sentenced:
- On April 2, Cambodian national Su Wenqiang, 32, who had 11 charges in total, was sentenced to 13 months’ jail after pleading guilty to two counts of money laundering. He was the first in the group to plead guilty.
- On April 4, Cypriot national Su Haijin, 41, was sentenced to 14 months’ jail after pleading guilty to one count of resisting arrest and two money laundering charges.
- On April 16, Chinese national Wang Baosen, 32, was sentenced to 13 months’ jail after he pleaded guilty to two charges of money laundering.
- Cambodian national Su Baolin, 42, who faces 13 charges, is expected to plead guilty on April 29.
- Meanwhile, Vang Shuiming, 43, who is listed as a Turkish national in court documents, is set to plead guilty on May 14. He faces 22 charges in total.
Man who jumped from bungalow balcony during raid, 2nd to be sentenced, gets 14 months’ jail
Su Haijin is the second of 10 foreigners linked to Singapore’s largest money laundering case to be convicted. PHOTOS: WEC
On April 4, the 41-year-old, who faced a total of 14 charges, was sentenced to 14 months’ jail.
Su is the second of 10 foreigners linked to Singapore’s largest money laundering case to be convicted and sentenced. More than $3 billion in cash and assets have been seized so far in relation to the case.
Su Wenqiang, accused in $3b money laundering case, 1st to be sentenced to 13 months’ jail
Su Wenqiang pleaded guilty to two money laundering charges. PHOTO: CHINA POLICE
Cambodian national Su Wenqiang was sentenced to 13 months in jail after he pleaded guilty on April 2 to money laundering.
The 32-year-old is the first of 10 foreign nationals to be convicted over a probe, led by the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD), that saw more than $3 billion in cash and assets seized.
The prosecution sought 12 to 15 months in jail for Su, noting his early plea of guilt and his willingness to forfeit his assets worth over $5.9 million to the state.
Singapore convicts first suspect in record money laundering case
A Porsche 911 Targa vehicle seized by police at a residence of Su Jiafeng, one of the suspects in the S$2.8 billion money-laundering case, in Singapore, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. Allegations have erupted that wealthy Chinese have been pouring ill-gotten gains into the Asian financial hub, in what the government itself describes as potentially one of the world’s largest money-laundering cases
Singapore on Tuesday sentenced the first person to plead guilty in the Southeast Asia island-state’s biggest money laundering scandal to a 13-month imprisonment. Cambodian national Su Wenqiang had faced 11 charges relating to forgery and laundering criminal proceeds. Public prosecutors went ahead with two counts of money laundering after an agreement to consider the remaining nine charges for sentencing.
The Singapore police said it has seized around 6 million Singapore dollars ($4.44 million) worth of assets from Su. According to court documents emailed to CNBC, this includes more than 2 million Singapore dollars in a bank account with United Overseas Bank, a Mercedes Benz, Chinese Moutai liquor and jewelry from Tiffany’s and Dior. Su was charged for laundering income from his part in abetting the operation of an illegal offshore remote gambling service out of the Philippines, which catered to mainland Chinese clients, according to court documents.
Su, 32, was arrested in August last year along with nine others of Chinese origin, in a case that has stunned many and raised doubts over Singapore’s reputation as a financial hub. Two suspects are still on the run. The value of all assets seized to date now exceeds more than 3 billion Singapore dollars, according to court documents.
Singapore 2.8 billion$ money laundering probe
The assets seized in Singapore’s largest money laundering case that saw 10 foreigners arrested are now worth more than $3 billion. Warrants of arrest and Interpol Red Notices have been issued against two more suspects, Su Yongcan and Wang Huoqiang.
The police said on Jan 19 that they have issued prohibition of disposal orders on another 55 properties and 15 vehicles. An additional 189 luxury bags, 34 pieces of jewellery and five luxury watches were also seized. This now brings the assets confiscated by the authorities to 207 properties, 77 vehicles, more than $1.45 billion in bank accounts, and more than $76 million in cash of various currencies. Thousands of bottles of liquor and wine, cryptocurrency worth more than $38 million, 68 gold bars, 483 luxury bags, 169 branded watches and 580 pieces of jewellery have also been seized in total.
Separately, warrants of arrest and Interpol Red Notices have been issued against two more suspects – Cambodian nationals Su Yongcan, 33, and Wang Huoqiang, 29 – for money laundering offences. A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. The police said the pair had left Singapore before arrests related to the case began on Aug 15, 2023.
