Suspects in $2.8 billion money laundering case donated S$350k to President’s Challenge, S$30k to ComChest

Although the original article has since been removed, the original post indicated that three couples donated S$100,000 (approximately US $73,681) to the charitable organization.

The article expressed gratitude, stating, ‘Special thanks to the families of Su Haijin and Ms Wu Qin (伍琴), the families of Su Baolin and Ma Ning (马宁), and the families of Zhang Ruijin and Lin Baoying.’

Lianhe Zaobao also reported that President’s Challenge, an annual charitable campaign led by the Singapore President, confirmed that since 2018, Sian Chay Medical Institution has made donations to the campaign.

In 2020, Sian Chay Medical Institution received three checks of S$100,000 each, bearing the names of individuals with the same names as three suspects in the billion-dollar money laundering case.

These three checks were subsequently handed over to the President’s Challenge and were distributed to beneficiary organizations in June 2021.

However, the spokesperson emphasized that the President’s Challenge has no direct relationship with the individuals involved in the case and has not received any further donations from them.

“The President’s Challenge is aware of the media reports and will continue to monitor the development of the situation,” the spokesperson clarified.

At least five accused allegedly made charitable donations in the past three years

Earlier, the ST revealed that out of the 10 accused in the high-profile case, at least five have allegedly made charitable donations in the past three years.

Notable donations include:

• S$72,450 to Rainbow Centre, an operator of special education schools.
• S$15,000 to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF).
• S$5,000 to Lions Befrienders, an agency assisting the elderly.

According to a statement issued by the Rainbow Centre, three accused in the S$2.8 money laundering case, Vang Shuiming (or Wang Shuiming), Su Haijin and Zhang Ruijin, donated a total of S$72,450 between 2020 and 2023.

Notably, Vang donated a total of S$30,000 to the charity centre, while Su and Zhang donated S$25,350 and S$17,100 separately.

Meanwhile, NKF’s annual reports mention that Su Haiijin’s brother, Su Baolin was a donor who contributed at least S$5,000 annually from 2020 to 2022.

They are among the 10 suspects who were arrested in an islandwide anti-money laundering probe on 15 August mounted by the police in an operation that has been described by the prosecution as unprecedented in size and scope.

A billion dollars worth of assets were seized – including luxury cars, houses and cash.

The ten accused, including nine men and one woman aged between 31 and 44,  have different nationalities but share a common origin in Fujian.

At 42 years old, Vang, currently holding Turkish nationality, is facing a total of five charges, including one count of using a forged document and four counts of money laundering.

Su Haijin, a 40-year-old Cypriot national, faces charges of both money laundering and resisting arrest.

In contrast, his brother, Su Baolin, aged 41 and a Cambodian national, is confronted with two charges related to forgery.

Zhang Ruijin, a 44-year-old Chinese national, is currently contending with three charges associated with forgery.

On August 30, during court proceedings, Zhang Ruijin’s defence lawyer advocated for his client’s release on bail.

The lawyer highlighted Zhang’s active involvement in charitable endeavours and his contributions to local charities as part of the argument.

Charity donations scrutinized in light of Singapore’s money laundering probe

In Parliament on 3 October, PAP MP for Holland–Bukit Timah GRC raised a question concerning whether certain charities were being investigated for receiving donations.

In response, Josephine Teo clarified in Parliament that some charities had voluntarily chosen to ring-fence these donations, while others had taken the initiative to make police reports and intended to surrender the funds to the police.

“The Commissioner of Charities will issue an advisory to encourage all charities to review their donor records to ascertain whether they have received donations from the arrested individuals and entities linked to them, and file the requisite suspicion suspicious transaction reports (STR).”

Additionally, the advisory would provide guidance to charities on how to handle these funds.

Under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, individuals and organizations are legally obligated to file an STR if they have reason to believe that a donation, in this case, a cash donation, may be linked to serious crimes such as money laundering.

Failure to do so can result in severe penalties, including fines of up to S$250,000 for individuals and up to three years of imprisonment. Organizations may face fines of up to S$500,000.”