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Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
2 Singaporeans among 3 arrested in Thailand in joint anti-vice sweep
Investigations began in 2023 into the vice syndicate, which allegedly recruited foreign women and sent them to Singapore to work as vice workers. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE SINGAPORE - Two Singaporean men were among three arrested in Thailand for their alleged involvement in operating a transnational vice syndicate, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on June 19. The Singaporean suspects, aged 36 and 38, as well as a 50-year-old Thai man , were arrested on June 17 in a cross-border operation with the Royal Thai Police (RTP). Assets worth more than 20 million Thai baht (S$790,600), comprising cash in bank accounts and two condominium units, together with laptops, mobile phones, hard drives, bank cards and SIM cards, were also seized by the RTP when the trio was arrested on June 17 . The SPF also froze more than $1.26 million of suspected criminal proceeds from the Singapore bank accounts of the 38-year-old man. According to a June 18 report from Thai news website Khaosod English, one of the Singaporean men was arrested at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, having arrived on a flight from Singapore. The Thai police had acted on information of the man's arrival, and the man had multiple arrest warrants, according to the news outlet. The Straits Times has learned that the 38-year-old Singaporean was arrested at the airport, while the 36-year-old man was arrested at his Thai residence. The cross-border anti-vice operation was executed in Thailand by the Royal Thai Police. PHOTOS: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE Investigations began in 2023 into the vice syndicate, which allegedly recruited foreign women and sent them to Singapore to work as vice workers, SPF said . At least 76 vice workers, who were allegedly managed by the syndicate, were arrested f rom April 2023 to May 2025 , and the resulting investigations 'established useful information' against the syndicate, SPF added. The identities of the three suspects were established after police o fficers from Thailand and Singapore shared their findings on the syndicate. The 38-year-old man allegedly used a complex network of bank accounts to remit the prostitution earnings of the vice workers from Singapore to Thailand, while the 36-year-old man allegedly supported the syndicate in the transnational vice operations, said the Singapore police. Investigations are ongoing. Photos from past anti-vice ops related to the syndicate. PHOTOS: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE In the statement, Singapore's Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SAC) Yeo Yee Chuan stressed the importance of cooperation in areas such as information sharing, operations and investigations, in combating transnational syndicated crime. 'The SPF is committed to working closely with our regional partners, and we thank the RTP for their invaluable collaboration in dismantling this criminal network to prevent the exploitation of women, stem the scourge of transnational crimes and take affirmative actions against the laundering of criminal proceeds,' said SAC Yeo, who is the deputy director of the Criminal Investigation Department. Thailand's Police Lieutenant General Jirabhop Bhuridej added: 'The dedication and professionalism of the SPF and RTP officers were instrumental in the successful cross-border operational collaboration which led to the apprehension of the transnational criminal syndicate.' Additional reporting by Lok Jian Wen Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
12-06-2025
- Straits Times
Man charged with stealing $1.5k worth of potted plants from Yishun HDB block
The potted plants were stolen at Block 418 Yishun Avenue 1. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE Man charged with stealing $1.5k worth of potted plants from Yishun HDB block SINGAPORE – A man has been charged with stealing $1,500 worth of potted plants from a Housing Board block in Yishun. On June 12, Lee De Yuan, 42, was handed a theft charge over allegedly stealing 18 potted plants, two plant racks and three flower pots at Block 418 Yishun Avenue 11 , sometime from June 5 to 8, between 2am and 4am. Two of the plants were large Lohansong b onsai worth $388 each. In total, the items he allegedly stole were worth $1,514. The police said on June 11 that they had been alerted to multiple cases of theft of potted plants in the area last week . Through follow-up investigations, officers from Woodlands Police Division established Lee's identity and arrested him on June 10. The stolen items were subsequently recovered. Lee's case was adjourned to June 19. Those who commit theft can be jailed for up to three years, fined, or both. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Straits Times
1 arrested, 8 bicycles and PMDs seized in enforcement operation against errant riders in CBD
Non-compliant bicycles, including those without working handbrakes, were seized and impounded during the joint enforcement operation. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE 1 arrested, 8 bicycles and PMDs seized in enforcement operation against errant riders in CBD SINGAPORE – One person was arrested and a total of eight bicycles and personal mobility devices (PMDs) were seized in a joint enforcement operation in the Central Business District on June 6. The operation, conducted by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA), was targeted at errant cyclists and PMD users to better safeguard public safety in the area. In a joint statement on June 11, the authorities said that 16 offences were detected. These included the use of non-compliant PMDs, speeding on public paths, illegal use of PMDs on roads, dangerous and reckless riding on both public paths and roads, and the possession of illegal e-vaporisers. In a case of rash act causing hurt, one person was arrested and one PMD was seized. Five bicycles were seized following cases where their owners were caught riding them without a working handbrake. A non-compliant PMD that was ridden on a public road was also seized, along with an unregistered vehicle. Eight illegal e-vaporisers were seized under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. An illegally modified e-bicycle that was seized during the operation. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE The authorities said they take a serious view of such offences that endanger public safety and contravene the law. 'SPF, LTA and HSA will continue to conduct regular and ad-hoc enforcement operations to ensure greater compliance,' the statement said. 'Cyclists and PMD users are strongly advised to comply with all regulations and practise safe riding habits. Members of the public are also reminded that it is an offence to possess, use or purchase e-vaporisers.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
08-06-2025
- Straits Times
Woman conned by strangers in Chinatown into giving up $700 and gold necklace to 'Chinese physician' for blessing
Woman conned by strangers in Chinatown into giving up $700 and gold necklace to 'Chinese physician' for blessing A woman was conned by strangers in Chinatown into giving up $700 and her Guan Yin pendant to a "Chinese physician" for "blessing". Three women and a man, aged between 47 and 61, were arrested for their suspected involvement after the police received a report from the victim on June 3. The victim was initially approached by one of the women seeking directions to a Chinese physician. A second woman then intervened, claiming to know of a suitable physician but explained that consultations could only take place outside the premises due to overcrowding. The second woman wanted the victim to pose as her relative and both women led the victim to meet a third woman who claimed to be a Chinese physician and told the victim she was experiencing misfortune due to negative spiritual elements. The three women and the victim then arranged to meet at Hong Lim Park where the victim was convinced to surrender $700 in cash and a gold necklace with a Guan Yin pendant to the "Chinese physician", who then placed the items in a black plastic bag and performed a purported blessing ritual. The victim was instructed to store the plastic bag underneath her bed and not open it for one month. But the next morning, she examined the contents of the plastic bag and discovered that her valuables had been replaced with leaves. A similar scam was reported in Clementi on June 4. Two women approached another victim and engaged her in conversation. After noticing cash in the victim's bag, they convinced her to place the $700 into a black trash bag for "safekeeping". The victim later discovered that her money was missing. Through extensive ground enquiries and with the aid of CCTV footage, officers established the identities of the three women and a fourth man who was believed to be working with trio. All four were arrested on June 5. The first victim's gold necklace was recovered from one of them. Cash amounting to S$1,311 and RMB10,050 were seized as case exhibits. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE The suspects were to be charged in court on June 6 with conspiracy to cheat, which carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine. The police said they would like to remind members of the public to be wary of strangers who claim to provide spiritual help or blessing services. No legitimate religiou spractitioner will ask for your money or valuables to be surrendered for any blessi ngritual. You should be vigilant and alert elderly family members about such scams. If approached by someone claiming you have bad luck or need spiritual cleansing, do not engage with them and call the police immediately. 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
06-06-2025
- The Star
Four charged over suspected involvement in ‘blessing' scams
A gold necklace, S$1,311 in cash and 10,050 yuan (S$1,800) were seized. - SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE SINGAPORE: Three women and a man have been charged in court over allegedly cheating victims of cash and gold in 'blessing' scams. Chinese nationals Zhong Weifeng, 58, Huang Ximing, 61, Huang Meiling, 56, and Huang Qinyan, 47, were charged with conspiracy to cheat on Friday (June 6). On June 2, Zhong and Huang Meiling approached one of the victims and led her to Huang Qinyan, who claimed to be a Chinese physician. The victim was told she was experiencing misfortune due to 'negative spiritual elements', the police said on June 6. To ward off misfortune, the woman was said to have handed $700 in cash and a gold necklace to Huang Qinyan, who placed the items in a plastic bag. Huang Qinyan performed a 'cleansing ritual' on the valuables, and the victim was told to keep the plastic bag, untouched, under her bed for a month. The woman checked the bag the next day and found that her valuables had been replaced with leaves. On June 4, the police received a report of another scam with a similar modus operandi. According to the police, the second victim was approached by two of the accused and convinced to place an envelope with cash into a black rubbish bag for safekeeping. She later discovered that her money had gone missing. Police investigations found that Huang Ximing was working together with the three women to cheat the victims. All four were arrested on June 5. A gold necklace, $1,311 in cash and 10,050 yuan (S$1,800) were seized. If convicted of conspiracy to cheat, an offender can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined. - The Straits Times/ANN
