Nearly 200 travellers fined for not declaring large cash amounts, evading GST and taxes on tobacco
Nearly 200 travellers fined for not declaring large cash amounts, evading GST and taxes on tobacco
SINGAPORE - Nearly 200 travellers were caught at the land, sea and air checkpoints for not declaring more than $20,000 in cash, not declaring or paying taxes on tobacco and other goods.
The authorities nabbed 14 foreign travellers carrying cash exceeding $20,000 or the equivalent in foreign currency into or out of Singapore without making a declaration or declaring inaccurate amounts.
Four of them, men aged between 26 and 71, were caught on May 21 bringing cash of various currencies amounting to between $20,700 and $380,139 across Singapore borders.
Another traveller, a 55-year-old man, was caught two days later making an inaccurate declaration when moving $399,965 and RM1,621 (S$492) into Singapore. The cash is suspected to be linked to the traveller's unlicensed moneylending activities, said the authorities.
The offenders were caught during a week-long operation carried out by government agencies between May 21 and May 27, said the Singapore Police Force, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Central Narcotics Bureau, Singapore Customs, National Parks Board, and Health Sciences Authority in a joint statement on May 31.
During the week-long operation, the authorities conducted enhanced checks on travellers and vehicles at the checkpoints.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
Four of the 14 travellers were given warnings, while seven were fined a total of $27,000. Others are still under probe, and one has been charged with possessing property obtained from criminal activities.
During the operation, the authorities conducted checks on travellers and vehicles at the checkpoints. More than 19,000 travellers and 1,600 vehicles were identified for checks, and more than 26,000 pieces of luggage and hand-carry bags were scanned or searched, the statement said.
During the week-long operation, the authorities conducted enhanced checks on travellers and vehicles at the checkpoints.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
It is a crime not to report cash or currency of more than $20,000 when crossing Singapore's borders. If found guilty, offenders can be fined up to $50,000, jailed for up to three years, or both. The cash can also be confiscated.
'Smuggling cash across borders is a way by which criminals launder proceeds of crime. Singapore will not tolerate such activities, said the police commercial affairs department director David Chew.
During the week-long operation, the authorities conducted enhanced checks on travellers and vehicles at the checkpoints.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
Other travellers were found with Pop Mart toys and branded shoes, which they failed to declare.
The authorities caught 153 travellers for failing to declare and pay taxes on cigarettes or tobacco products, liquor exceeding the duty-free allowance, or goods exceeding goods and services tax import relief allowances, such as souvenirs and gifts.
During the week-long operation, the authorities conducted enhanced checks on travellers and vehicles at the checkpoints.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
The total duty and GST evaded by these travellers amounted to $10,754, and they were fined a collective $35,165.
In one case, a traveller was caught carrying 20 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes.
Another had undeclared luxury goods and Popmart toys, while a third had four litres of Chinese liquor in excess of duty-free allowances.
A traveller did not declare the four litres of Chinese liquor that was in excess of his duty-free allowance.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE CUSTOMS
On May 26, five male travellers aged between 26 and 45 were caught possessing e-vaporisers upon entering Singapore. HSA officers seized five e-vaporisers and fined the travellers.
Anyone found guilty of the fraudulent evasion of customs or excise duties can face a fine of up to 20 times the amount evaded, or a jail term of up to two years.
Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Jail for woman who extorted man after they exchanged sexual texts
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Student-care teacher Savanna Goh was sentenced to two years and six months' jail on Aug 14. SINGAPORE – A student-care teacher at a tuition centre exchanged sexual text messages with a man she met on an online dating platform, but then proceeded to extort him of $700. Savanna Goh told the victim, a 23-year-old full-time national serviceman (NSF), that her uncle was working for the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and that she would alert him about the 'uncomfortable' messages she had received if the NSF failed to hand her the amount. The victim, identified in court documents as V1, complied out of fear. However, this 'uncle' did not exist. The 24-year-old Singaporean woman was sentenced to two years and six months' jail on Aug 14 after she pleaded guilty to one count each of extortion, cheating and misusing a computer system. Deputy Public Prosecutor Sean Teh said: 'During investigations, the accused admitted that she came up with the idea to extort and cheat money from V1 on her own as she found him to be an easy target that would succumb to her threats easily.' The prosecutor told the court that V1 got to know Goh in April 2023, and she claimed to be a pre-school teacher. The pair later communicated with text messages and phone calls. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF Singapore askST: What to do in the event of a fire at home? Singapore 4 housebreaking suspects taken to Bukit Timah crime scene under police escort Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at the wrong airport in South Korea Singapore Reformative training for teen who cheated man of $47k Rolex watch on former stepdad's instructions Opinion Could telco consolidation spell the end of attractive mobile plans? Asia Strong India-Singapore ties key to economic growth amid 'volatile landscape': DPM Gan Asia Citizenship for foreign talent: How this footballer from Brazil became Vietnam's favourite 'Son' During these conversations, they talked about sexual topics and flirted with each other. They also talked about meeting in person so that they could engage in sexual activities. In May 2023, Goh lied to V1, claiming that she needed money to pay hospital bills. She also told him that they could meet in person in return. Believing the offender, he transferred $430 to her on May 13 that year. The next day, Goh asked him for more money, and he transferred another $600. But after he did so, she told him that she was 'uncomfortable' with his text messages and threatened to tell her 'SPF uncle' about them. A fearful V1 then transferred $700 to Goh on May 16, 2023. However, she continued to threaten him and stated that he had to pay her $5,000 in compensation. She also said that if her demands were not met, she would inform the police about the messages so they wo uld press charges against him. DPP Teh said: 'The accused eventually told V1 that she would settle the matter for $2,500. V1 told her that he did not have the money to pay her. 'The accused threatened V1 that he could either compensate her privately or face up to a $100,000 fine or imprisonment following criminal prosecution... He later stopped responding after the accused demanded $500.' On June 1, 2023, Goh texted V1, claiming that she had some money to repay him. However, she also asked him for another $1,000 to purportedly activate her bank account. When V1 questioned her, she replied that he needed to transfer to her $950 instead. He complied and contacted his bank about the matter shortly after 11am that day. He was then advised to lodge a police report. He blocked Goh on messaging platform Telegram two days later, and she reached out to him on WhatsApp asking him to unblock her. When he refused, she created a fake Telegram account and pretended to be a police officer. She then used the account to reach out to V1. Among other things, Goh told him: 'I need you to do whatever she (asked) you to do, because this is a very serious offence and you can be charged and... imprisoned if you are reported. 'Please unblock her from WhatsApp and from phone calls. If not, I'll take serious action towards you.' V1 apologised to the 'police officer' and alerted the authorities at around 11.30am on June 3, 2023. In an unrelated case in September 2022, Goh saw a Telegram post by one ' Ange Emily' involving the purchase of bank accounts. Wanting to earn some cash, she sent Ange Emily a text message and decided to sell her bank account after she was promised $1,600 for it. Goh also shared with the unknown person her internet banking information. In the end, Ange Emily did not hand Goh any money, and instead blocked her on Telegram. Goh's bail has been set at $15,000, and she is expected to begin serving her sentence on Aug 18.
International Business Times
2 days ago
- International Business Times
Singapore Police Arrest Teen for Alleged Loan Shark Harassment
An 18-year-old teenager was arrested for his suspected involvement in a case of loan shark harassment. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said that they were informed about a case of loan shark harassment on Monday, August 11, at a residential unit along Haig Road at about 4.10 pm. The authority said that a debtor's note was placed on the gate. SPF said in a statement that the officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the teenager through ground enquiries and with the aid of images from police cameras they arrested him within two hours. "Preliminary investigations revealed that he is believed to be involved in other cases of loan shark harassment. One mobile phone, three bicycle locks and two debtor notes were seized as case exhibits," said the police. On Wednesday, August 13, the teen will face charges under the Moneylenders Act of 2008 in court. Loan shark harassment is punishable by a fine of S$5,000 to S$50,000, up to five years in jail, and up to six canings for first-time offenders.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Jail for man who scammed at least 5 people over illegal cross-border taxi services
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Pretending he would provide them with cross-border transport services, Tan Wei Yap took deposits from potential customers, then cut off contact. SINGAPORE – A driver who provided illegal cross-border taxi services between Singapore and Malaysia decided to flout the law further by cheating his customers. Pretending he would provide them with such transport services, Tan Wei Yap took deposits from them, then cut off contact. On Aug 13, the 32-year-old Malaysian was sentenced to seven months' jail after he pleaded guilty to three cheating charges. Five similar charges were taken into consideration for his sentencing. The court heard that Tan, also known as 'Sky', was a driver at a Malaysian company providing illegal cross-border taxi services across the Causeway. He earned about RM1,000 (S$305) to RM5,000 monthly, but turned to cheating customers when he experienced financial difficulties. Over about nine months from April 16, 2024, to Jan 8, 2025, Tan scammed at least five victims of about $1,862. He monitored social media platforms for cross-border taxi services requests and privately messaged potential victims. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NEL, SPLRT disruption: Electricity surge shut down backup power switchboard, says LTA Singapore HSA seeks Kpod investigators to arrest abusers, conduct anti-trafficking ops Opinion The 30s are heavy: Understanding suicide in Singapore's young adults Singapore Lawyer who sent misleading letters to 22 doctors fails in bid to quash $18,000 penalty Singapore 4 taken to hospital after accident near Sports Hub, including 2 rescued with hydraulic tools Asia Malaysia's anti-graft agency busts arms smuggling ring masterminded by senior military officers Singapore SG60: Many hands behind Singapore's success story To appear credible, he told them he was from a firm named 'Sky Ye Transport' and collected deposits from them. Once the victims had made the deposits, he confirmed the bookings and sent them photos of a vehicle and an individual, who was actually his former boss. On the scheduled pickup day, Tan did not appear and became uncontactable when the victims sent him messages. One of the victims was recommended to Tan's company by a colleague when she was planning a trip to Cameron Highlands with her friends and family. When she decided to engage Tan's services, he told her to pay a deposit of RM2,500 and said that another RM2,500 would be payable after the trips were completed. But after she paid the initial deposit, he kept asking her to transfer more money, ostensibly to purchase 'mandatory travel insurance'. The victim refused and asked him for receipts, upon which Tan added his 'secretary' to a group chat with the victim. Investigations revealed later that this second mobile number belonged to Tan. Sensing something was amiss, the victim asked him to refund the deposit. But Tan assured her that his company was licensed and that she had to pay a 30 per cent penalty if she insisted on a refund. The victim later said she would report the matter to the police, prompting Tan and his 'secretary' to leave the group chat. Following a police report lodged by another victim on Jan 23, Tan was placed on an immigration stop list. He was stopped on Jan 30 when he tried to enter Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint by car at about 8am. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) alerted the police, and told Tan to report to a police investigation officer (IO) the next day. They also informed him that he was not allowed to leave Singapore until he did so, which Tan acknowledged. However, he tried to leave Singapore for Johor Bahru at 8.20pm on the same day and was stopped again. Deputy Public Prosecutor Colin Ng said: 'The accused claimed that he wanted to return to (Johor Bahru) for a meal before reporting to the IO in Singapore the next day.' Tan was arrested on Jan 31 and charged in court the next day. He did not make any restitution to the victims. Asking for Tan to be jailed for between 26 and 30 weeks, DPP Ng highlighted the premeditation and planning behind his offences. The authorities have lately been clamping down on illegal cross-border passenger transport services, with 19 drivers caught in a combined operation on Aug 5 by ICA and the Land Transport Authority (LTA). According to LTA, 136 drivers have been caught providing such services since 2022, and their foreign-registered vehicles were impounded. Those who have been charged and convicted so far have been fined up to $2,600 and had the vehicles forfeited.
