Fujian-born businessmen in SG wanted by China, linked to accused in S$3B money laundering case

SINGAPORE: Two businessmen of Fujian origin, who have resided in Singapore since 2021, have been placed on China’s wanted list due to their involvement in a cross-border online gambling syndicate.

Notably, they are also allegedly linked to Su Jianfeng (苏剑锋), one of the accused in S$3 billion money laundering case, who currently facing a total of 12 charges related to forgery for cheating and alleged possession of illegal proceeds from unlawful remote gambling.

36-year-old Su Jianfeng has been revealed as the owner of a Dubai-based property firm, Fidu Properties.

According to the latest data leak uncovered by the investigative journalism group, Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), it has been suggested that Su Jianfeng may have acted as the middleman who facilitated the purchase of properties in Dubai by individuals in Singapore linked to the money laundering case, primarily between 2020 and 2022.

The majority of these properties were luxury units marketed by Fidu Properties, including The Grand at Dubai Creek and Grande Downtown Dubai.

The duo, Su Shuiming (苏水明) and Su Shuijun (苏水军), each own 11 units at Grande Downtown, which collectively comprise the entire 66th and 68th floors of the development.

They have collectively paid more than S$31 million for these properties.

Wanted by Chinese authorities

Su Shuiming and Su Shuijun were first added to China’s list of wanted individuals in September 2023, shortly after the Commercial Affairs Department of Singapore led a police operation resulting in the arrest of 10 foreigners in the landmark S$3 billion case.

A statement issued by the Public Security Bureau of Zibo, China, highlighted that in February 2023, Chinese authorities cracked down on a cross-border online gambling syndicate led by individuals from Fujian Province.

This operation resulted in the arrest of over 110 suspected criminals and the seizure, freezing, and recovery of more than 17 million yuan (approximately US$2.35 million) in involved funds.

An updated notice released in March of this year by the Zibo police further indicated that 74 suspected criminals involved in the case are still illegally staying abroad, including Su Shuiming and Su Shuijun.

The Chinese authorities have urged relevant suspected criminals to surrender themselves.

In a recent investigative report, OCCRP uncovered that the duo are also included on a list of individuals with substantial property holdings in Dubai, based on leaked records of property sales transactions.

According to Singapore’s state media outlet, the Straits Times, Su Shuiming, holds passports from Cambodia and Cyprus.

During his time in Singapore, he resided in an expansive residence located in Fourth Avenue in Bukit Timah.

Left Singapore

Su Shuijun, also holding passports from Cambodia and Cyprus, previously resided in a 27,000 sq ft good class bungalow (GCB) at Queen Astrid Park.

ST reported that the reporter visited Su Shuiming’s residence on 6 May, and a man, claiming to be his boss, approached the gate.

He stated that Su Shuiming had left Singapore with his family but declined to disclose their destination.

Although Su Shuijun’s GCB is now vacant, neighbours confirmed that he had lived there for approximately two years and moved out in February with his wife and two children.

Su Shuiming is listed as a director and shareholder of four companies in Singapore – Feifan Holdings, Hengxin Property Investment Management, Hong Sheng Property Investment Management, and Quan Hui Technologies.

All except for Quan Hui Technologies are registered at his personal address in Fourth Avenue.

A check on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) business entity record revealed that Quan Hui Technologies is a “live” company. The company is registered under the software and application development industry.

Wang Junjie, a Bedok resident and Shanghai-origin naturalized Singaporean served as the secretary of the firm until 29 December 2023.

Mr Wang, who held positions in nine companies linked to three of the convicts in the money laundering case, had his registration as a qualified individual cancelled by the ACRA in January.

Su Shuijun holds ownership stakes in three companies: Kaihang Property Investment Management, Mengyue Property Investment Management, and Brilliance SG Investment.

Both Kaihang and Mengyue are registered under his address at Queen Astrid Park.

Records indicate that Su Shuijun served as a director and shareholder of Bosing Technologies until September 25, 2023.

Interestingly, Mr Wang continues to hold the position of secretary at Bosing Technologies, a wholesaler specializing in lighting and lighting accessories.

At least five individuals in S$3B case placed on China’s wanted list

ST reported that a spokesperson for the Singapore Police Force declined to comment on whether Su Shuiming and Su Shuijun are involved in or assisting with any investigations in Singapore.

Among the 10 arrested in Singapore’s S$3 billion case, at least five were placed on China’s wanted list between 2017 and 2023 for their involvement in criminal activities, including online gambling.

In December last year, OCCRP also exposed that another Fujian-born entrepreneur, Su Binghai, the founder of an Asian private equity firm, along with his two associates, Su Bingwang, and Su Fuxiang, were linked to Wang Dehai among the arrested in S$3 billion case.

They reportedly abruptly departed Singapore in September last year, as authorities aimed to question them regarding his potential ties to the high-profile case.

Currently, sixth of the arrested:  Su Wenqiang, Su Haijin, Wang Baosen, Su Baolin,  Zhang Ruijin and Vang Shuiming, already plead guilty in the S$3 billion case, all of whom received jail sentences ranging from 13 to 15 months for their involvement in money laundering activities.

After Vang’s conviction, Chen Qingyuan is expected to plead guilty on 23 May, while the remaining three—Lin Baoying, Wang Dehai, and Su Jianfeng—are still in remand.

Su Jianfeng on Thursday (16 May) handed six new charges of forgery for the purpose of cheating

Su Wenqiang and Wang Baoshen were deported to Cambodia by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority on 6 May and are prohibited from re-entering Singapore.