Assets worth approximately SG$1.85 billion ($1.4 billion) have been surrendered by 15 foreign suspects, linked to Singapore’s largest money laundering case, who are currently on the run.
According to the Straits Times, this brings the total assets surrendered in the case to nearly SG$2.8 billion ($2.1 billion), following SG$944 million ($704 million) previously surrendered by 10 money launderers who have been jailed and deported.
The police announced that the 15 suspects, who have been barred from returning to Singapore, agreed to surrender their assets in exchange for the withdrawal of Interpol Red and Blue Notices against them.
The suspects include individuals linked to organized crime activities, with many being Chinese nationals holding citizenship from various countries, including Cambodia and Turkey.
The investigation began after a series of raids on August 15th, 2023, which resulted in the arrest of 10 individuals connected to scams and online gambling operations. Their assets included luxury cars, properties, and high-value items like jewelry and watches.
Individuals involved have also been tied to offshore gaming operations in the Philippines.
Authorities continue to pursue two additional suspects, Xu Haika and Xu Hainan, whose assets, valued at about SG$144.9 million ($108 million), remain seized. The Singapore government has indicated that it will handle their case under recently enacted anti-money laundering laws.
In response to the unfolding situation, the Singaporean government is enhancing its anti-money laundering measures to safeguard the city-state’s reputation as a trusted international financial hub.
