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Straits Times
a day ago
- General
- Straits Times
2 Chinese nationals arrested for theft at airport after man was seen rummaging through woman's bag on flight
2 Chinese nationals arrested for theft at airport after man was seen rummaging through woman's bag on flight Two male Chinese nationals, aged 35 and 40, were arrested for their suspected involvement in a case of theft on board an aircraft on June 2. The police were alerted at about 8.50pm to the case onboard an aircraft enroute from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. Preliminary investigations revealed that the younger man seen was removing some items after rummaging through the contents of a female passenger's bag, which was in the overhead compartment. The man's suspicious behaviour caught the attention of a couple seated nearby, who continued to observe him throughout the flight. After the aircraft had landed in Singapore, the couple saw the female passenger retrieving the bag and realised that the man was not the owner. After disembarking from the aircraft, the couple alerted the female passenger and notified the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and the police for assistance. Through information provided by the couple and with the aid of images from CCTVs, officers from the Airport Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him at a lounge in the transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 1 within one hour of the report. The other man, believed to be his accomplice, was also arrested and cash amounting $169 was recovered from him. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE The police also recovered two debit cards belonging to the female passenger from a rubbish bin where the two men had traversed before they were arrested by the police. The duo will be charged in court on June 4 for the offence of theft with common intention, which carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine, or both. Commander of Airport Police Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police M Malathi, said, "The two observant passengers who came forward played a crucial role in assisting the police and victim by notifying the suspicious behaviour they had observed onboard the aircraft. "Their prompt reporting and detailed testimonies aided in the swift arrest of the suspects and substantiation of the crime which is inherently challenging due to the transient and time-sensitive nature of air travel." Click here to contribute a story or submit it to our WhatsApp Get more of Stomp's latest updates by following us on:
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
41 suspected money mules to be charged in court
Many of the suspects were promised a commission of up to $9,000 for their bank or Singpass accounts, but were never paid. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE SINGAPORE - Forty-one people are expected to be charged in the coming week for allegedly acting as money mules or allowing related activities in a variety of scams. The 32 men and nine women , aged between 16 and 64 , are suspected of being involved in scams such as government official impersonation scams, rental scams, job scams, fake friend call scams and e-commerce scams. Between June 2 and 6, the 41 suspects are expected to be charged for various offences, such as h elping another person retain the benefits from criminal conduct in certain circumstances and abetment to cheating. Other offences include allowing unauthorised access to computer material and illegally disclosing passwords or access codes to Singpass, the national digital identity service. Among the suspects, 35 were accused of having relinquished or sold their bank accounts and enabled criminal syndicates to commit money laundering. Some allegedly tricked banks into opening personal accounts before handing over the ATM cards and iBanking credentials to unknown people. Another group are believed to have unlawfully disclosed their Singpass credentials, enabling criminal syndicates to misuse their identities to open bank accounts. Many of the suspects were promised a commission of up to $9,000 for their bank or Singpass accounts, but were never paid. Those convicted of assisting another person to retain the benefits from criminal conduct or cheating can be jailed for up to t hree years, fined, or both. Anyone found guilty of facilitating unauthorised access to computer material for the first time can be jailed for up to two years , fined, or both. If convicted of illegally disclosing passwords or access codes for Singpass , the suspects cans be jailed for up to three years, fined, or both. To avoid being implicated in such crimes, the police urged people to always reject requests by others to use their bank or Singpass accounts. The public should also be wary of seemingly attractive money-making opportunities that promise fast and east payouts for the use of these personal accounts. 'Anyone who allows their personal bank accounts to be used to receive and transfer money for others will be held accountable if these transactions are linked to crimes,' the police said. For more information on scams, the public can visit or call the ScamShield Helpline at 1799. Anyone with information on such scams may call the police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at Scam victims in Singapore lost $1.1 billion in 2024 , marking a record high amount of losses suffered in a single year. This is around 70 per cent higher than the $651.8 million that scammers took in 2023, according to police figures releas ed on Feb 25. Police also saw the highest number of scam reports ever in 2024, with 51,501 cases recorded compared with 46,563 cases the previous year. A total of 230 money mules were charged between August 2024 and March 2025 , under tougher sentencing guidelines introduced on Aug 21, 2024. All adult offenders charged during this period were handed jail terms of at least six months , while those below 21 were sent for reformative training, said the police. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
New Paper
4 days ago
- New Paper
Nearly 200 travellers fined for not declaring large cash amounts, evading GST and taxes on tobacco
Close to 200 travellers were caught at the land, sea and air checkpoints for not declaring more than $20,000 in cash, or 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$490) 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 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.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Straits Times
Nearly 200 travellers fined for not declaring large cash amounts, evading GST and taxes on tobacco
A traveller was caught for not declaring his GST-payable items, which include collectible toys and a pair of branded shoes. PHOTO: SINGAPORE CUSTOMS 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.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Straits Times
13 men arrested for being suspected members of secret societies
Public entertainment outlets, nightlife establishments and food and beverage outlets were checked during the operation. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE 13 men arrested for being suspected members of secret societies SINGAPORE – Thirteen men aged between 23 and 42 were arrested for being suspected members of secret societies during a two-day operation. On May 23 and 24, almost 90 people and more than 40 public entertainment outlets, nightlife establishments and food and beverage outlets were checked. The islandwide operation was led by the Secret Societies Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department, said the police in a statement on May 31. Investigations into all suspects are ongoing. The police said they will continue to conduct such operations and take firm action against those who associate with secret societies. They also advised the public to steer clear of secret society activities and make police reports against those who engage in such activities. Anyone found guilty of being a member of an unlawful society may face a jail term of up to three years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. More than 1,300 suspected members of unlawful societies were arrested from 2022 to 2024. According to figures from the Singapore Prison Service, there has been an increase in the number of young people jailed for their involvement in secret society activities under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
