Transnational Money Laundering Case Unveils Massive Illegal Gambling Operation in Singapore

In a transnational money laundering investigation involving $2.8 billion in seized or frozen assets, 10 foreign suspects were arrested two months ago. They have returned to court for multiple bail reviews and further mentions. At the center of this case is an illegal gambling operation based in the Philippines, with some of the accused linked to it. The operation allegedly generated proceeds from Chinese punters. Despite a wanted notice issued by China in 2015 for some of the accused, they managed to establish themselves in Singapore, operating alleged shell companies as early as 2019.

The illegal gambling proceeds are believed to have been laundered in Singapore through luxury property purchases, jewelry, liquor, bags, and watches. Some of the funds were also found in cash or stored in safe deposit boxes.

While bail has been denied for all the accused, exchanges of documents during the proceedings have revealed significant information about them. None of the 10 has indicated they will plead guilty, and at least one intends to claim trial.

Passport photos of some of the accused have also been released in court documents for the first time. Here’s a brief overview of some of the key accused individuals:

1. Su Jianfeng: A 35-year-old Ni-Vanuatu national facing charges for possessing illegal proceeds from illegal remote gambling offenses, totaling S$17 million in three safe deposit boxes and S$550,903 in cash. His assets seized or frozen include S$231 million in cash, bank accounts, cryptocurrency, real estate, and vehicles.
2. Lin Baoying: A 44-year-old Chinese national charged with forging documents to sell property in Macau and making false statements about preparing the sale document. Her assets seized amount to S$215.6 million, including cash, bank accounts, cryptocurrency, real estate, vehicles, jewelry, collectibles, luxury watches, and bags.
3. Zhang Ruijin: A 45-year-old Chinese national charged with forgery related to Macau property and a loan agreement for funds from a Hong Kong company. His assets seized include S$109.8 million in cash, bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, liquor, gold, and luxury watches.
4. Wang Dehai: A 34-year-old Cypriot national facing charges of laundering gambling proceeds by purchasing a unit in The Marq and possessing S$2.3 million in illegal gambling earnings. His and his wife’s assets seized include S$51 million in cash, cryptocurrency, bank accounts, real estate, and vehicles.
5. Yang Shuiming: A 42-year-old Turkish national charged with possession of criminal benefits from unlicensed moneylending in China and using a forged document. His and his wife’s assets seized exceed S$200 million, comprising cash, bank accounts, properties, and vehicles.

Each of the accused has their own unique background and connection to the case, and they are now at the pre-trial conference stage.