Duo allegedly involved in luxury goods scam arrested in Johor Bahru

Victims relieved, hope to recover their money

- Nadine Chua

The couple allegedly involved in a luxury goods scam involving undelivered items worth $32 million have been arrested in Malaysia and are back in Singapore.

The Singapore Police Force said Pi Jiapeng, 26, and his wife, Thai national Pansuk Siriwipa, 27, returned to Singapore yesterday and will face charges of criminal conspiracy to commit cheating and illegal departure from Singapore.

The police said: “The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has been working closely with various foreign law enforcement agencies to secure the couple’s return to Singapore. A warrant of arrest was issued against the couple on July 16.”

The police said they received information on Wednesday from the Royal Thai Police that the couple may be staying at a hotel in Johor Bahru.

“The SPF immediately sought the assistance of the Royal Malaysia Police to locate the couple. The warrant of arrest was executed by the Royal Malaysia Police in Johor Bahru on Aug 11,” said SPF.

Pi and Pansuk were handed over to the SPF yesterday and will be charged in court today.

At Woodlands Checkpoint yesterday at about 6.15pm, they were escorted by SPF officers carrying two black bags, believed to contain the couple’s personal belongings found at the hotel.

The Straits Times understands that they were alone at the hotel when they were caught.