Shell technician received up to $2.3m misappropriation for role in gas oil

A process technician at oil giant Shell worked together with his colleagues to misappropriate gas oil from the firm that was worth more than US$93 million (over S$127 million) between August 2014 and January 2018.

- Shaffiq Alkhatib

For his role in the offences, Cai Zhi Zhong received between US$1.3 million and US$1.6 million (S$2.3 million) in ill-gotten gains.

The court heard that he used a portion of the money to pay for a condominium unit at the Vue 8 Residence in Pasir Ris Heights, an Audi A3 car, as well as luxury watches worth between $57,000 and $73,500 each.

On Wednesday, Cai, 39, pleaded guilty to multiple offences including criminal breach of trust and dealing with the benefits of criminal activities. He has made no restitution to Shell.

Gas oil is refined crude oil and is often used as fuel and as an alternative to diesel in some countries.

One of the masterminds of the heist, Juandi Pungot, 45, was jailed for 29 years in March for siphoning nearly $128 million worth of gas oil.