Latest news with #SecretSocietiesBranch
New Paper
15-07-2025
- New Paper
Jail, caning for immigration offender who gave $36k in bribes
A recalcitrant immigration offender who handed a police officer bribes totalling $36,000 over seven months was sentenced to three years' jail and six strokes of the cane on July 15. Chen Guangyun, 39, had given the money to Poo Tze Chiang, then a station inspector with the Singapore Police Force's Secret Societies Branch, after the latter claimed he could help the Chinese national avoid prosecution over immigration-related offences. Poo also claimed he could help lessen the potential punishment that Chen would receive for his crimes, which were outstanding at the time. Poo, 47, who is no longer a police officer and is currently behind bars, ultimately failed to deliver on these promises. After a trial, District Judge John Ng convicted each man of four counts of graft in February. Separately, Chen also pleaded guilty to two immigration-related offences after he unlawfully entered Singapore in 2022. Two other charges including one count of assault were considered during his sentencing. In earlier proceedings, the court heard that Chen had initially entered Singapore lawfully on Oct 20, 2014, but overstayed. On Jan 25, 2017, he was convicted of offences including overstaying before he was sentenced to six months' jail and three strokes of the cane. After serving his sentence, he was deported in June that year and banned from entering Singapore. Despite this, he later entered Singapore illegally by boat and officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority arrested him. Chen was charged in court again with immigration-related offences on June 8, 2019. Chen and Poo first met each other during a drinking session some time in or around 2019, and they maintained a casual acquaintance. Poo later told Chen he was a police officer and showed him his warrant card. After that, Chen told Poo that he had a pending case for entering Singapore illegally. Deputy public prosecutors David Menon and Bryan Wong stated in court documents: "Poo told Chen that he could help Chen with his ongoing case and lessen any punishment that Chen may face. Poo asked Chen to pay $8,000 in exchange for his help. Chen agreed." The DPPs also told Judge Ng that Chen handed Poo the amount in cash around Geylang Lorong 27 in or around July 2019. About a month later, Poo informed Chen that he could make him a police informant, which would allow the Chinese national to continue staying in Singapore after serving his sentence for his immigration-related offences. The prosecutors added that Poo also told Chen that he would do so only if the latter agreed to pay him $3,000 a month. The DPPs said Chen later gave Poo a total of $18,000 between August 2019 and January 2020. In fact, Chen never provided Poo with any information. Chen later handed him another $10,000, but all these did nothing to alleviate his legal woes. The charges against Chen were maintained, and on March 30, 2020, he pleaded guilty to an offence of entering Singapore without a valid pass. He was sentenced to 12 weeks' jail and four strokes of the cane before he was deported on May 4, 2020. Chen was in China in early 2021 when he learnt that the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) was investigating Poo for unrelated graft offences. Chen then contacted the CPIB to report that he had given bribes to Poo. The DPPs said Chen was "still desperate to work in Singapore" and returned to the country illegally in or around September 2022. Police officers later arrested him in or around April 2023 over his involvement in a fight.
Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Jail, caning for recalcitrant immigration offender who gave $36k in bribes to cop
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Chen Guangyun, 39, had given the money to Poo Tze Chiang, then a station inspector with the Singapore Police Force's Secret Societies Branch. SINGAPORE - A recalcitrant immigration offender who handed a police officer bribes totalling $36,000 over seven months was sentenced to three years' jail and six strokes of the cane on July 15. Chen Guangyun, 39, had given the money to Poo Tze Chiang, then a station inspector with the Singapore Police Force's Secret Societies Branch, after the latter claimed that he could help the Chinese national avoid prosecution over immigration-related offences. Poo also claimed that he could help lessen the potential punishment that Chen would receive for his crimes which were outstanding at the time. Poo, 47, who is no longer a police officer and is currently behind bars , ultimately failed to deliver on these promises. After a trial, District Judge John Ng convicted each man of four counts of graft in February . Separately, Chen also pleaded guilty to two immigration-related offences after he unlawfully entered Singapore in 2022. Two other charges including one count of assault, were considered during his sentencing. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $3b money laundering case: MinLaw acts against 4 law firms, 1 lawyer over seized properties Opinion What we can do to fight the insidious threat of 'zombie vapes' Asia China's economy grows 5.3% in first half of 2025, momentum slowing amid trade tensions Business 'Some cannot source outside China': S'pore firms' challenges and support needed amid US tariffs Multimedia From local to global: What made top news in Singapore over the last 180 years? Singapore Turning tragedy into advocacy: Woman finds new purpose after paralysis Opinion Sumiko at 61: Everything goes south when you age, changing your face from a triangle to a rectangle Sport Poor water quality off Sentosa delays World Aquatics C'ship open water swimming event by a day In earlier proceedings, the court heard that Chen had initially entered Singapore lawfully on Oct 20, 2014 but overstayed. On Jan 25, 2017, he was convicted of offences including overstaying before he was sentenced to six months' jail and three strokes of the cane. After serving his sentence, he was deported in June that year and banned from entering Singapore. Despite this, he later entered Singapore illegally by boat and officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority arrested him. Chen was charged in court again with immigration-related offences on June 8, 2019. Chen and Poo first met each other during a drinking session some time in or around 2019, and they maintained a casual acquaintance. Poo later told Chen that he was a police officer and showed him his warrant card. After that, Chen told Poo that he had a pending case for entering Singapore illegally. Deputy public prosecutors David Menon and Bryan Wong stated in court documents: 'Poo told Chen that he could help Chen with his ongoing case and lessen any punishment that Chen may face. Poo asked Chen to pay $8,000 in exchange for his help. Chen agreed.' The DPPs also told Judge Ng that Chen handed Poo the amount in cash around Geylang Lorong 27 in or around July 2019. About a month later, Poo informed Chen that he could make him a police informant, which would allow the Chinese national to continue staying in Singapore after serving his sentence for his immigration-related offences. The prosecutors added that Poo also told Chen that he would do so only if the latter agreed to pay him $3,000 a month. The DPPs said Chen later gave Poo a total of $18,000 between August 2019 and January 2020. In fact, Chen never provided Poo with any information. Chen later handed him another $10,000, but all these did nothing to alleviate his legal woes. The charges against Chen were maintained, and on March 30, 2020, he pleaded guilty to an offence of entering Singapore without a valid pass. He was sentenced to 12 weeks' jail and four strokes of the cane before he was deported on May 4, 2020. Chen was in China in early 2021 when he learnt that the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) was investigating Poo for unrelated graft offences. Chen then contacted the CPIB to report that he had paid bribes to Poo. The DPPs said Chen was 'still desperate to work in Singapore' and returned to the country illegally in or around September 2022. Police officers later arrested him in or around April 2023 over his involvement in a fight.
New Paper
01-06-2025
- New Paper
13 men arrested for being suspected members of secret societies
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.
International Business Times
31-05-2025
- International Business Times
13 Men Arrested in Singapore Over Alleged Links to Unlawful Societies
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has arrested 13 men, aged between 23 and 42, for being alleged members of unlawful societies. The Secret Societies Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department conducted an island-wide secret society suppression operation, supported by Jurong Police Division, on May 23 and 24. Over 40 public entertainment, nightlife, and food and beverage venues, as well as over 90 people, were inspected. All 13 people are the subject of current police investigations. Anyone convicted of being a member of an unlawful society under Section 14(3) of the Societies Act 1966 faces up to three years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. Between 2022 and 2024, more than 1,300 suspected members of illegal societies were detained. Figures from the Singapore Prison Service also showed that there has been a spike in the number of youngsters jailed for their involvement in secret society activities under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act.
AsiaOne
31-05-2025
- AsiaOne
13 men suspected of being members of unlawful societies arrested in island-wide operation, Singapore News
The police have arrested 13 men, aged between 23 and 42, for being suspected members of unlawful societies. The island-wide secret society suppression operation on May 23 and 24 was led by the Secret Societies Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department and supported by Jurong Police Division. Over 40 public entertainment outlets, nightlife establishments, and food and beverage outlets, as well as close to 90 people were checked. Police investigations against all 13 individuals are ongoing. Anyone found guilty of being a member of an unlawful society under Section 14(3) of the Societies Act 1966 shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to $10,000 or both. From 2022 to 2024, more than 1,300 suspected members of unlawful societies were arrested. Figures from the Singapore Prison Service show that there has been a spike in the the number of youngsters jailed for their involvement in secret society activities under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act. [[nid:718585]] syarifahsn@
