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The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Jail, fine for Myanmarese man linked to case involving three bank accounts that received over US$531mil in total
SINGAPORE: A man linked to a case involving three bank accounts that received more than US$531 million (over S$680 million) in total was sentenced to two years' jail and a fine of $109,000 on Wednesday (July 30). Myanmar national Nyan Win, 61, who had pleaded guilty to two counts of carrying on a business of providing a payment service in Singapore without a licence, will have to spend an additional six months behind bars should he fail to pay the fine. His Singaporean accomplice Zin Nwe Nyunt, 58, was sentenced to a year and six months' jail on July 14. Court documents stated that Nyan Win, a Singapore permanent resident, and Zin Nwe Nyunt's husband were childhood friends. At the time of the offences, Nyan Win was a director at Piyar International, a company that dealt with motor vehicles. In 2019, another Myanmar national known as Ko Phillip, who operated a commodities trading business, told Nyan Win he was looking for someone to incorporate a company in Singapore to assist in the operations of Ko Phillip's business. This company would then create corporate bank accounts that be used to receive and transfer funds under Ko Phillip's instructions. He offered Nyan Win a commission of 0.5 Myanmar kyat (S$0.0003) per US dollar received under this arrangement. Nyan Win, who was interested in this opportunity, was uncertain whether he could set up a corporate bank account through Piyar International. Without revealing details, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ryan Lim said this was because banks had previously closed the company's corporate bank accounts. Nyan Win approached Zin Nwe Nyunt's spouse and told him about this potential business opportunity with Ko Phillip. As the husband was holding an undisclosed full-time job, he suggested that his wife could assist in the firm's incorporation. Nyan Win's Singaporean accomplice Zin Nwe Nyunt, 58, was sentenced to a year and six months' jail on July 14. - Photo: ST It was later agreed between Zin Nwe Nyunt and Nyan Win that the corporate bank accounts would be controlled by Nyan Win. Commissions would then be split between the pair. Zin Nwe Nyunt incorporated wholesale trading company Unione, and from July 2019 to May 2021, she opened accounts with three different banks through the firm. She then handed the banking details to Nyan Win, the court heard. DPP Lim said: 'Across 2020 and 2021, Nyan Win would liaise with Phillip to make arrangements for money to be received into Unione's corporate bank accounts. 'Nyan Win would also receive instructions from Phillip on where to transfer the money once it had been received into the bank accounts. Nyan Win would provide Zin with information regarding the incoming transactions for her to compute the commission amount.' Between January and July 2020, Nyan Win used one of Unione's bank accounts to receive more than US$150 million before the money was transferred out. Court documents do not disclose the source of the money. Following these transactions, Zin Nwe Nyunt made over $56,000 in commissions while Nyan Win received more than $34,000. On July 21, 2020, the bank closed the account due to the large number of suspicious transactions. The DPP told the court: 'Zin, Nyan Win and Unione did not have in force a valid licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore and were not an exempt payment service provider.' Following the closure of this account, Zin Nwe Nyunt took instructions from Nyan Win and opened a corporate account with another bank. Between late July 2020 and April 2021, Nyan Win used this account to receive more than US$250 million before the money was transferred out. Zin Nwe Nyunt received nearly $76,000 in commissions while Nyan Win pocketed more than $50,000. DPP Lim said that between August 2020 and March 2021, a third bank account was used to receive more than US$127 million. Over $119 million was then transferred out. In August 2021, the police received information that an Australian scam victim had transferred US$1.8 million to several bank accounts maintained by companies in Singapore. Investigations revealed three of these firms had transferred over $480,000 to the third bank account. Investigators then uncovered links between Zin Nwe Nyunt, Unione and Nyan Win. The pair were charged in court in 2023. On July 30, Nyan Win's bail was set at $20,000, and he was ordered to surrender himself at the State Courts on Aug 7 to begin serving his sentence. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Jail, fine for man linked to case involving 3 bank accounts that received over $680m in total
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Myanmar national Nyan Win had pleaded guilty to two counts of carrying on a business of providing a payment service in Singapore without a licence. SINGAPORE - A man linked to a case involving three bank accounts that received more than US$531 million (over S$680 million) in total was sentenced to two years' jail and a fine of $109,000 on July 30. Myanmar national Nyan Win, 61, who had pleaded guilty to two counts of carrying on a business of providing a payment service in Singapore without a licence, will have to spend an additional six months behind bars should he fail to pay the fine. His Singaporean accomplice Zin Nwe Nyunt, 58, was sentenced to a year and six months' jail on July 14. Court documents stated that Nyan Win, a Singapore permanent resident, and Zin Nwe Nyunt's husband were childhood friends. At the time of the offences, Nyan Win was a director at Piyar International, a company that dealt with motor vehicles. In 2019, another Myanmar national known as Ko Phillip, who operated a commodities trading business, told Nyan Win he was looking for someone to incorporate a company in Singapore to assist in the operations of Ko Phillip's business. This company would then create corporate bank accounts that be used to receive and transfer funds under Ko Phillip's instructions. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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Nyan Win, who was interested in this opportunity, was uncertain whether he could set up a corporate bank account through Piyar International. Without revealing details, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ryan Lim said this was because banks had previously closed the company's corporate bank accounts. Nyan Win approached Zin Nwe Nyunt's spouse and told him about this potential business opportunity with Ko Phillip. As the husband was holding an undisclosed full-time job, he suggested that his wife could assist in the firm's incorporation. Nyan Win's Singaporean accomplice Zin Nwe Nyunt, 58, was sentenced to a year and six months' jail on July 14. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG It was later agreed between Zin Nwe Nyunt and Nyan Win that the corporate bank accounts would be controlled by Nyan Win. Commissions would then be split between the pair. Zin Nwe Nyunt incorporated wholesale trading company Unione, and from July 2019 to May 2021, she opened accounts with three different banks through the firm. She then handed the banking details to Nyan Win, the court heard. DPP Lim said: 'Across 2020 and 2021, Nyan Win would liaise with Phillip to make arrangements for money to be received into Unione's corporate bank accounts. 'Nyan Win would also receive instructions from Phillip on where to transfer the money once it had been received into the bank accounts. Nyan Win would provide Zin with information regarding the incoming transactions for her to compute the commission amount.' Between January and July 2020, Nyan Win used one of Unione's bank accounts to receive more than US$150 million before the money was transferred out. Court documents do not disclose the source of the money. Following these transactions, Zin Nwe Nyunt made over $56,000 in commissions while Nyan Win received more than $34,000. On July 21, 2020, the bank closed the account due to the large number of suspicious transactions. The DPP told the court: 'Zin, Nyan Win and Unione did not have in force a valid licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore and were not an exempt payment service provider.' Following the closure of this account, Zin Nwe Nyunt took instructions from Nyan Win and opened a corporate account with another bank. Between late July 2020 and April 2021, Nyan Win used this account to receive more than US$250 million before the money was transferred out. Zin Nwe Nyunt received nearly $76,000 in commissions while Nyan Win pocketed more than $50,000. DPP Lim said that between August 2020 and March 2021, a third bank account was used to receive more than US$127 million. Over $119 million was then transferred out. In August 2021, the police received information that an Australian scam victim had transferred US$1.8 million to several bank accounts maintained by companies in Singapore. Investigations revealed three of these firms had transferred over $480,000 to the third bank account Investigators then uncovered links between Zin Nwe Nyunt, Unione and Nyan Win. The pair were charged in court in 2023. On July 30, Nyan Win's bail was set at $20,000, and he was ordered to surrender himself at the State Courts on Aug 7 to begin serving his sentence.
New Paper
15-07-2025
- Business
- New Paper
Jail for woman who received over $640m, including scam proceeds
A woman who incorporated a wholesale trading firm before its bank accounts received more than US$500 million (S$640.7 million), including scam proceeds, was sentenced to one year and six months' jail on July 14. Singaporean Zin Nwe Nyunt, 58, had admitted that she did not know where the money came from. In earlier proceedings, the court heard that in August 2021, police received information that an Australian investment scam victim had transferred US$1.8 million to several bank accounts maintained by companies in Singapore. Three of the companies later transferred more than $480,000 to a bank account belonging to a firm called Unione, which Zin Nwe Nyunt had incorporated. In March, she pleaded guilty to two counts of working together with a male Myanmar national, who was her husband's childhood friend, to carry out a business of providing a payment service in Singapore without a licence. She had earned "commissions" totalling more than $170,000, while Nyan Win, the man she worked with, received over $110,000. The latter, who is a 61-year-old Singapore permanent resident, had earlier pleaded guilty to similar charges and is expected to be sentenced on July 30. It all started in 2019 when a Myanmar national known as Ko Phillip, who purportedly operated a commodities trading business, told Nyan Win that he was looking for someone to incorporate a company in Singapore to assist him in his business. The company in Singapore would then open corporate bank accounts, which would be used to receive and transfer funds on Ko Phillip's instructions. Under this arrangement, he offered Nyan Win a commission of 0.5 Myanmar kyat (0.03 Singapore cent) for every US$1 received. Nyan Win was interested in this opportunity. However, he was uncertain whether he could set up a corporate bank account through Piyar International, a company that dealt with motor vehicles, where he was a director. Without revealing details, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ryan Lim told the court in March this was because banks had previously closed Piyar's corporate bank accounts. Nyan Win then approached Zin Nwe Nyunt's husband and told him about this potential business opportunity with Ko Phillip. As the husband was holding a full-time job, he suggested that Zin Nwe Nyunt assist in the new firm's incorporation instead. It was later agreed between Zin Nwe Nyunt and Nyan Win that the corporate bank accounts would be controlled by Nyan Win. Commissions would then be split between the pair. Zin Nwe Nyunt incorporated Unione and, at different times, opened one corporate account each with three banks. She then handed over information, including the internet banking details, to Nyan Win. DPP Lim had said that from 2020 to 2021, Nyan Win liaised with Ko Phillip to make arrangements for money to be received into Unione's corporate bank accounts. Zin Nwe Nyunt and Nyan Win did not know where the funds came from. However, the pair also did not perform any checks to ascertain the nature of the funds received or the legitimacy of Ko Phillip's claims that he was operating a "commodities business". Between January and July 2020, Nyan Win used one of Unione's bank accounts to receive more than US$150 million before the money was transferred out. On July 21, 2020, the bank closed the account due to many suspicious transactions. Following the closure of this account, Zin Nwe Nyunt took instructions from Nyan Win and opened a corporate account with another bank. Between July 2020 and April 2021, Nyan Win used this new account to receive more than US$250 million before the money was transferred out. DPP Lim said that between Aug 18, 2020, and March 24, 2021, a third bank account was used to receive more than US$127 million and over US$119 million was transferred out. On July 14, Zin Nwe Nyunt's bail was set at $20,000. She is expected to begin serving her sentence on Aug 15.
Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Woman opened bank accounts that received over $640.7m including scam proceeds, earned $170k commissions
Shaffiq Alkhatib The Straits Times July 14, 2025 A woman who incorporated a wholesale trading firm whose bank accounts later received more than US$500 million (S$640.7 million), including scam proceeds, was sentenced to one year and six months' jail on July 14. Singaporean Zin Nwe Nyunt, 58, had admitted that she did not know where the money came from. In earlier proceedings, the court heard that in August 2021, police received information that an Australian investment scam victim had transferred US$1.8 million to several bank accounts maintained by companies in Singapore. Three of the companies later transferred more than $480,000 in scam proceeds to a bank account belonging to a firm called Unione, which Zin Nwe Nyunt had incorporated. In March, she pleaded guilty to two counts of working together with a male Myanmar national - her husband's childhood friend - to carry out a business of providing a payment service in Singapore without a licence. She had earned "commissions" of over $170,000, while Nyan Win, the man she worked with, received over $110,000. The latter, a 61-year-old Singapore permanent resident, had earlier pleaded guilty to similar charges and is expected to be sentenced on July 30. It all started in 2019 when a Myanmar national known as Ko Phillip, who purportedly operated a commodities trading business, told Nyan Win that he was looking for someone to incorporate a company in Singapore to assist him in his business. The company in Singapore would then open corporate bank accounts, which would be used to receive and transfer funds on Ko Phillip's instructions. Under this arrangement, he offered Nyan Win a commission of 0.5 Myanmar kyat (0.03 Singapore cent) for every US$1 received. Nyan Win was interested in this opportunity. However, he was uncertain whether he could set up a corporate bank account through Piyar International, a company that dealt with motor vehicles, where he was a director. Without revealing details, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ryan Lim told the court in March that this was because banks had previously closed Piyar's corporate bank accounts. Nyan Win then approached Zin Nwe Nyunt's husband and told him about this potential business opportunity with Ko Phillip. As the husband was holding a full-time job, he suggested that Zin Nwe Nyunt assist in the new firm's incorporation instead. It was later agreed between Zin Nwe Nyunt and Nyan Win that the corporate bank accounts would be controlled by Nyan Win. Commissions would then be split between the pair. Zin Nwe Nyunt incorporated Unione and, at different times, opened one corporate account each with three banks. She then handed over information, including the internet banking details, to Nyan Win. DPP Lim said that from 2020 to 2021, Nyan Win liaised with Ko Phillip to make arrangements for money to be sent to Unione's corporate bank accounts. Zin Nwe Nyunt and Nyan Win did not know where the funds came from. However, the pair also did not perform any checks to ascertain the nature of the funds received or the legitimacy of Ko Phillip's claims that he was operating a "commodities business". Between January and July 2020, Nyan Win used one of Unione's bank accounts to receive more than US$150 million before the money was transferred out. On July 21, 2020, the bank closed the account due to many suspicious transactions. Following the closure of this account, Zin Nwe Nyunt took instructions from Nyan Win and opened a corporate account with another bank. Between July 2020 and April 2021, Nyan Win used this new account to receive more than US$250 million before the money was transferred out. DPP Lim said that between Aug 18, 2020, and March 24, 2021, a third bank account was used to receive more than US$127 million and over US$119 million was transferred out. On July 14, Zin Nwe Nyunt's bail was set at $20,000. She is expected to begin serving her sentence on Aug 15. Click here to contribute a story or submit it to our WhatsApp Get more of Stomp's latest updates by following us on:
The Star
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Jail for Singapore woman who opened bank accounts that received over US$500mil, including scam proceeds
SINGAPORE: A woman who incorporated a wholesale trading firm before its bank accounts received more than US$500 million (S$640.7 million), including scam proceeds, was sentenced to one year and six months' jail on Monday (July 14). Singaporean Zin Nwe Nyunt, 58, had admitted that she did not know where the money came from. In earlier proceedings, the court heard that in August 2021, police received information that an Australian investment scam victim had transferred US$1.8 million to several bank accounts maintained by companies in Singapore. Three of the companies later transferred more than $480,000 to a bank account belonging to a firm called Unione, which Zin Nwe Nyunt had incorporated. In March, she pleaded guilty to two counts of working together with a male Myanmar national, who was her husband's childhood friend, to carry out a business of providing a payment service in Singapore without a licence. She had earned 'commissions' totalling more than $170,000, while Nyan Win, the man she worked with, received over $110,000. The latter, who is a 61-year-old Singapore permanent resident, had earlier pleaded guilty to similar charges and is expected to be sentenced on July 30. It all started in 2019 when a Myanmar national known as Ko Phillip, who purportedly operated a commodities trading business, told Nyan Win that he was looking for someone to incorporate a company in Singapore to assist him in his business. The company in Singapore would then open corporate bank accounts, which would be used to receive and transfer funds on Ko Phillip's instructions. Under this arrangement, he offered Nyan Win a commission of 0.5 Myanmar kyat (0.03 Singapore cent) for every US$1 received. Nyan Win was interested in this opportunity. However, he was uncertain whether he could set up a corporate bank account through Piyar International, a company that dealt with motor vehicles, where he was a director. Without revealing details, Deputy Public Prosecutor Ryan Lim told the court in March this was because banks had previously closed Piyar's corporate bank accounts. Nyan Win then approached Zin Nwe Nyunt's husband and told him about this potential business opportunity with Ko Phillip. As the husband was holding a full-time job, he suggested that Zin Nwe Nyunt assist in the new firm's incorporation instead. It was later agreed between Zin Nwe Nyunt and Nyan Win that the corporate bank accounts would be controlled by Nyan Win. Commissions would then be split between the pair. Zin Nwe Nyunt incorporated Unione and, at different times, opened one corporate account each with three banks. She then handed over information, including the internet banking details, to Nyan Win. DPP Lim had said that from 2020 to 2021, Nyan Win liaised with Ko Phillip to make arrangements for money to be received into Unione's corporate bank accounts. Zin Nwe Nyunt and Nyan Win did not know where the funds came from. However, the pair also did not perform any checks to ascertain the nature of the funds received or the legitimacy of Ko Phillip's claims that he was operating a 'commodities business'. Between January and July 2020, Nyan Win used one of Unione's bank accounts to receive more than US$150 million before the money was transferred out. On July 21, 2020, the bank closed the account due to many suspicious transactions. Following the closure of this account, Zin Nwe Nyunt took instructions from Nyan Win and opened a corporate account with another bank. Between July 2020 and April 2021, Nyan Win used this new account to receive more than US$250 million before the money was transferred out. DPP Lim said that between Aug 18, 2020, and March 24, 2021, a third bank account was used to receive more than US$127 million and over US$119 million was transferred out. On July 14, Zin Nwe Nyunt's bail was set at $20,000. She is expected to begin serving her sentence on Aug 15. - The Straits Times/ANN
