With sentencing finalized for all 10 offenders, attention shifts to remaining suspects and the wider implications of the probe.
SINGAPORE: On a quiet Wednesday evening in August 2023, Singapore’s State Courts charged nine men and one woman with crimes that initially appeared unremarkable—possession of criminal benefits, forged bank documents, and money laundering. However, the case soon unraveled into a high-profile scandal that captured global attention.
The suspects, all from China, were implicated in an islandwide investigation spanning two years. They channeled millions in illicit gambling proceeds through Singapore’s reputable financial systems, masking their criminal activities with luxury cars, high-end properties, designer goods, and cryptocurrency.
By June 2024, all 10 offenders had been sentenced, with punishments ranging from 13 to 17 months in jail and the forfeiture of assets totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. Despite these convictions, the investigation is far from over. Authorities continue to pursue 17 additional suspects, along with individuals potentially complicit in the scheme, including bank staff and real estate agents.
Who Were the Offenders?
Su Wenqiang (Cambodian national): 13 months’ jail, forfeited S$6 million.
Su Haijin (Cypriot national): 14 months’ jail, forfeited over S$165 million.
Wang Baosen (Chinese national): 13 months’ jail, forfeited S$8 million.
Su Baolin (Cambodian national): 14 months’ jail, forfeited S$65 million.
Zhang Ruijin (Chinese national): 15 months’ jail, forfeited S$118 million.
Vang Shuiming (Turkish national): 13 months and 6 weeks’ jail, forfeited S$179 million.
Chen Qingyuan (Cambodian national): 15 months’ jail, forfeited S$21.3 million.
Lin Baoying (Chinese national): 15 months’ jail, forfeited S$154 million.
Wang Dehai (Cypriot national): 16 months’ jail, forfeited S$49.2 million.
Su Jianfeng (Vanuatu national): 17 months’ jail, forfeited S$179 million.
How Were They Caught?
The investigation began in 2021 when police received reports of forged bank documents. Alerts from financial institutions about suspicious transactions prompted deeper investigations, eventually uncovering the massive network of criminal activity.
The case not only highlights Singapore’s vigilance in combating financial crime but also raises questions about systemic vulnerabilities. While the 10 have faced justice, the broader network remains under scrutiny, leaving the story far from over.
