Accused in S$2.8 billion money laundering case, wanted in China, finds refuge in ‘safer’ Singapore

SINGAPORE: Wang Dehai (王德海), one of the accused in the S$2.8 billion money laundering case, initially joined a Philippines-based remote gambling business in 2012 as a customer service representative before transitioning into a promoter, responsible for posting online advertisements.

The syndicate served as the primary source of income for Wang. It remains operational in the Philippines and continues to generate proceeds.

In 2015,  the Guiyang County Public Security Bureau discovered that Wang, along with other individuals, Su Jianfeng, Su Wenqiang, Wang Huoqiang, and Su Yongcan were suspects of a major crime, and they were fugitives at that time.

In a noteworthy connection to the current S$2.8 billion case, Wang, Su Jianfeng (苏剑锋), and Su Wenqiang (苏文强) are among the ten individuals arrested and charged.

Upon learning that he was wanted by Chinese authorities around October 2016, Wang experienced a state of panic, primarily concerning the prospect of returning to China.

It was his brother-in-law, Su Yongcan, who suggested that Wang relocate to Singapore where it would be “safer” for him, among other reasons.

These newly revealed details about Wang emerged during the court proceedings on Wednesday (18 Oct) through affidavits provided by Assistant Superintendent Lim Yong Khiang, the investigation officer (IO) overseeing Wang’s case, along with submissions from the prosecution objecting to granting him bail.

As reported by CNA, Wang, a 34-year-old Cypriot national originally from Fujian, China, was represented by Ms Megan Chia from Tan Rajah & Cheah, who vigorously advocated for his bail, emphasizing that his move to Singapore was primarily to settle with his family for a period of five years, not to evade the authorities.

However, Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Lim disagreed, asserting that Wang, being an international fugitive, was willing to uproot his family to escape the law.

He highlighted Wang’s substantial overseas wealth, including two properties in Xiamen valued at around S$1.06 million, a S$2.9 million house in Cyprus, and approximately S$10.5 million spread across two bank accounts in Hong Kong.

ASP Lim further pointed out that Wang was associated with four other individuals sought by Singapore and Chinese authorities for illegal online gambling operations.

Among these associates were two of Wang’s relatives, who, according to ASP Lim, could aid in his escape.

S$23 million condominium purchase at The Marq on Paterson Hill in November 2019

Wang faced two charges in Singapore.

The first was for laundering money to purchase a condominium unit in The Marq at 8 Paterson Hill in November 2019, allegedly using illicit proceeds from the Philippines gambling service.

His claim that the S$23 million (US$16.8 million) used for the purchase originated from real estate investments in Dubai was deemed “unbelievable” by the prosecution, given inconsistent and unsupported accounts provided by Wang.

The second charge against Wang involved the possession of S$2.3 million in Singapore in August of the same year, representing his earnings from illegal remote gambling activities.

Wang initially claimed the money was passed to him by Su, who had liquidated some of his cryptocurrency holdings.

However, the prosecution rejected this explanation, citing Wang’s varying and contradictory statements about the source of the funds.

Despite the arguments put forth by Wang’s lawyer, the judge ultimately denied bail, citing the substantial flight risk posed by Wang’s international connections and significant offshore assets.

Chinese authorities have sought Wang and his brother-in-law, Su Yongcan, since 2015

Su Yongcan (苏永灿), aged 33, has garnered attention in the ongoing investigation.

According to information reported by the Straits Times, Su Yongcan is a shareholder of Craft Digital, a company based in Singapore’s Millenia Tower.

What adds intrigue to this situation is that Su Yongcan’s registered address is South Beach Residences, which happens to be in the same condominium complex as Wu Shuiying, an individual associated with the 10 accused in the case.

Further connections emerge as it’s revealed that Su Yongcan is a member of the Sentosa Golf Club.

Interestingly, several others within the alleged network, including Su Haijin and Su Baolin, are also members of this club. Su Haijin and Su Baolin were arrested on 15 August raid as part of the investigation.

Chinese authorities have been seeking Su Yongcan due to his involvement in a gambling syndicate uncovered back in 2015.

It’s worth noting that, according to information from the Singapore Eye, his hometown is also Anxi County, Fujian, and he retains a distinct Fujian accent.

Intriguingly, there’s a pattern emerging where some of those arrested and currently under investigation by Singaporean police, such as Chen Qingyuan (陈清远), also hails from Anxi, further deepening the connections within this complex web of individuals.