Wider network of suspects linked to 10 nabbed in S'pore

Some connected to syndicates overseas involved in online gambling and scam centres

- David Sun, Andrew Wong and Nadine Chua

Documents filed in the State Courts showed a wider network of suspects may be linked to the 10 arrested in Singapore in a money laundering case that now involves assets worth more than $1.8 billion.

Some of these suspects are connected to organised crime syndicates operating overseas involved in online gambling, scam centres and illegal money lending.

In applying for the continued detention without bail for the 10 accused, prosecutors argued that the individuals are linked not just to each other, but also to suspects who fled Singapore and some who are based overseas.

After the bust on Aug 15, police here conducted a second raid on Sept 1, based on intelligence from the foreign authorities that had uncovered assets belonging to the 10 that were previously hidden.

Thus far, police have identified two individuals in court - Suspect X and Subject Y.

SUBJECT Y

On Sept 6, the court heard that Subject Y is the cousin of Wang Baosen, a 31-year-old Chinese national who is currently facing two money laundering charges here relating to monies from illegal remote gambling.

Assets worth more than $18 million have been seized or subjected to prohibition of disposal orders relating to Wang Baosen's case.

Police also took control of assets owned by his wife, He Huifang, who is a director of two firms registered in Singapore - Huixia Technology and Huixia Technology Investment.

The court was told that one property owned by He Huifang, who claimed to be an investment consultant, was worth more than $14 million.

In an affidavit filed by the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD), the investigation officer said Wang Baosen is a high flight risk as he does not have employment in Singapore and has sources of income overseas, including 1 million yuan (S$189,000) he received from his family's tea plantation business in China.