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Foreign syndicates linked to housebreaking cases spark public concern over visa-free entry for Chinese nationals
Recent housebreaking cases in Singapore linked to Chinese nationals have sparked public concern over the visa-free entry policy for PRC citizens. Critics question the effectiveness of immigration checks, as suspects exploited the policy to commit crimes and flee swiftly, raising doubts about security.
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A recent surge in housebreaking incidents in private residential estates across Singapore has been linked to foreign syndicates, primarily involving Chinese nationals, according to a statement by the police on Saturday (17 August).
The authorities have already arrested and charged three individuals in court, while efforts are ongoing to locate another 14 suspects who have since left the country.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) revealed to local media that they are collaborating with Chinese authorities to gather more information and track down the suspects. They also encouraged the public to provide any relevant information that might assist in the investigation.
Preliminary investigations suggest that these syndicates operate in small groups, targeting residences by scaling perimeter walls or fences.
The suspects are believed to be transient travellers who entered Singapore on Social Visit Passes, typically just a day or two before committing the crimes. After executing the break-ins, the suspects would swiftly leave the scene and attempt to exit the country to evade detection.
The targeted homes are often located near park connectors or forested areas, providing natural cover for the criminal activities. The stolen items are sometimes hidden in nearby forests and later retrieved by accomplices.
Sudden Spike in Cases
Prior to this recent spate of break-ins, housebreaking crimes were on a downward trend, with 59 cases reported in the first half of this year, compared to 70 during the same period last year. However, between 1 June and 4 August 2024, 10 housebreaking cases were reported, mostly in private estates around the Rail Corridor and Bukit Timah Road.
The total value of items stolen in these 10 cases is estimated at S$3.85 million (US$2.92 million), of which about S$1.36 million worth of items have been recovered. The police have since apprehended and charged three suspects.
Chinese nationals Long Zhihua, 38, and Luo Changchang, 43, were charged on 28 June, while Wu Jinxing, 27, was charged on 29 July.
Wu was arrested on 27 July in a forested area near the Rail Corridor and charged with dishonestly retaining stolen property worth over S$180,000. Items seized from him include an orange Hermes Birkin bag valued at S$75,000, approximately S$68,800 in Singapore dollars, and foreign currencies amounting to S$78,800, along with luxury watches, including a S$30,000 Jaeger-LeCoultre watch.
Increased Police Presence and Aerial Patrols
In response to the surge in housebreaking cases, the SPF has intensified patrols in private residential estates around the affected areas. Drones equipped with cameras, thermal sensors, and blinkers will complement ground patrols, enhancing visibility and aiding in the detection of suspicious activities. These drones will also support search operations in response to housebreaking incidents or sightings of suspicious individuals.
Mobile cameras, known as Mobicams, have been strategically deployed at key locations, including major junctions and main entry and exit points of the estates. These cameras, which have self-sustainable power supplies, can be quickly set up outdoors when necessary.
Community Involvement and Preventive Measures
The SPF has been engaging with residents of landed properties, particularly those near park connectors and forested areas, distributing crime prevention advisories and erecting crime alert signs in areas prone to break-ins. The increased outreach has led to a rise in calls reporting suspicious sightings, though many have turned out to be false alarms.
Residents are also participating in the Citizens on Patrol scheme, undergoing training to patrol their neighbourhoods in groups.
Speaking to the media, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam acknowledged that while Singapore generally enjoys low crime rates, the recent trend of foreign criminals targeting local residences presents a new threat.
The emergence of foreigners coming into Singapore to target houses and working in teams “is a threat that we now have to deal with”, he added.
He urged Singaporeans to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities in their neighbourhoods.
Public Response and Concerns Over Visa-Free Entry
The news of the syndicates’ activities has sparked considerable concern among the public, particularly regarding the recent removal of visa requirements for Chinese nationals. Commenting on Channel News Asia’s Facebook page, many members of the public questioned the decision to allow visa-free entry for visitors from China, expressing fears that this policy may have contributed to the surge in crimes.
One commenter remarked, “Easy entry and exit out of Singapore. Some people have been sleeping.” Another expressed alarm, stating, “Time for the government to have stricter border control. To have so many Chinese nationals come in and commit crimes here is very alarming. This may be the tip of the iceberg because there may be cases unreported.”
Another netizen questioned the policy directly: “Could this be a result of the visa-free entry implemented early this year? This is not totally unexpected.” Some also called for the reinstatement of visa requirements, with one person writing, “Government should reinstate the PRC to get their Visa before coming to Singapore. Singaporeans better not leave their valuables to chop seat.”
Criticism of the visa-free policy also extended to its perceived broader implications. “Time to take away this scheme. It’s only bringing in more harm than helping. Who’s the one who suggested this brainless idea? Trying to be a bootlicker also must use brain first if this is desirable, don’t keep thinking of $$$. Foreigners are saying our government is money-faced already! Don’t prove them right!” wrote another commenter.
The visa-free scheme, which has become a point of contention, refers to the new 30-day visa-free arrangement between Singapore and China implemented in February this year.
Prior to this, Chinese passport holders were required to apply for a visa to enter Singapore. The arrangement was announced in December last year by then-Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, now Prime Minister, who emphasized that the new visa regime would facilitate travel for business people, academics, students, tourists, and those with family connections.
When asked earlier about concerns over opening Singapore’s borders to Chinese travellers, Mr Wong noted that this is not the first time Singapore has administered a visa-free regime.
He highlighted that visitors from more than 70 countries, including all ASEAN member states, Australia, Japan, and South Korea, can already enter Singapore visa-free.
“We have experience with it. Visa-free does not mean zero immigration check,” he said, adding that there are systems at the back-end that will do the necessary checks.
However, with the suspects in these recent housebreaking cases being identified as Chinese nationals who seemingly exploited the visa-free entry, the public is left wondering: is Singapore’s immigration check system as foolproof as Mr Wong had envisioned?
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ICA defending against what exactly? Through our open immigration policy we let in the criminals too.
The US has the same problem with foreign criminals going into their country, but those are people crossing the border illegally. The ruling government on the hand is holding up the welcome sign.
Just deport these scumbags and block them from re entering…should apply for all aliens who commit crimes in our country..
Wake up people !!!
Scammers the world over target SillyPore. Hence, the naive little red dot is the most “kena scammed” per capita in the world !!!
The visa free bit was a bonus, … not the reason !!!
SillyPore is on every scammer, thief, criminal and launderer’s radar !!!
Wake up people !!!
When you start your logical argument by describing criminals that take advantage of a legal loophole like free visa as tourists, you lose the logical argument. Don’t blame the tourists for the problems the country is facing. Most *criminals* are gaming the system. You do understand that, right?
Very EASY MONEY for all these foreign criminals entering singapore. They just need to enter SG, hit the right jackpot and leave SG in next available flight or cross the causeway into Malaysia or take a ferry to Batam. Rob or break-in homes with a few thousands and they will make back whatever air-ticket $$$ they spend. Furthermore, it is so easy to break-in into HDB, the security of most HDB units are just not there, with most people out at work during day time. And it is a win if they get caught too. Free meals and lodging @… Read more »
No jaga at our Entry doors….all manner of vermin are entering …
Chinese Visitors Rank First on Spending in Singapore Agai-Home-ICBC China. Chinese visitors spent an estimated 3.52 billion Singapore dollars (2.58 billion U.S. dollars) in Singapore last year, increasing 39 percent or 1 billion Singapore dollars (732 million dollars) from 2015
(www.chinaview.cn 2017-07-19)
So Shamni is unable to properly screen the “transient” population AND unable to ensure crimes are proactively prevented rather than reactively responding. This is FAILURE of fiduciary duties, hor. Getting too complacent in his Ridout colonial bungalow, hor? Will lawlanWong continue to protect the errant/incompetent ministers carried over from the Kayu Son?
奉勸
屎加坡 貧民窟 不要去动
代價 太大了
Go after the syndicate bosses…catching the ikan bilises only , no use…theyll keep coming in…as all our country’s doors are wide open.
Go after the big fishes…or else no need to boast lah.
Just like drug mules..spf only capture the poor who are forced into it..then get hanged as punishment.
Has CID or any law enforcement group ever managed to get the drug bosses who manufacture and distribute the drugs to their suppliers?
CB oppo why pick in the Ah Tiong?
The Indon leh, the Thai leh, the Myanmar lei even the jiu hu kia Datuk leh?….and all the other nationaliities also got come here to ‘wash money’.
You oppo better buck up your sloppy standard as election is near…very near.
Stirring shit ain’t gonna get you ….anywhere.
Oh hell, you fuckers ain’t gonna make it anywhere, anyway!😆😆😆😆🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😆😆😆
The definition of third world countries- poverty,developing,high mortality.China may not fit in.I think the contributor may be referring to the mindset and behavior of the criminals,not really demeaning or insulting anyone..Even I as Singaporean ,in my opinion,there’s third world behavior in a first world country.-. lack of courage,lack of alternative media,don’t scrutinise enough.Just one examples… -)Citizens running after the president with pineapple supporting him, when as a senior minister,he did not really do anything when Lawrence Wong said At Arms Length regarding alledged 99 million remuneration.Did nothing regarding Ridout case where clause from Minister code of conduct 3.2 & 3.3… Read more »
懂得怎麼做 奴才
又不懂 去買几只 狗
This case aside, did you all noticed recently Changi Airport a few cases of thefts by Indian and China nationals inside transit areas, after caught for stealing, their penalty were just a nominal fine and let go off without jail term. Did I read wrongly the penalty so light for stealing in restricted area?
I still remember there’s a small boy who stole in Singapore was apprehended by a few policemen some years back. How about local residents stealing at supermarkets like Sheng Siong? What penalty or any jail term they receive?
We must praise our Police Force
Shitgaporean , Do not commit all these stupid things .
There is absolutely not a concern for Visa Free entry for the PRC
They came here to spend .
The immigration must check whether their forehead got written Robbin Hood and send them back .
And No Extradiction Treaty
Good lah
They are the Modern Robin Hood
15 of them and 12 of them not in shitgapore
SG got very bad Negative Publicity from all the money laundering cases & more. Also from Our Donations to Machik Tudungs favourite Terrorists.
We Are Now A Sitting Target for All Scammers.
What were extra pay rises, extra bonus including recent added monetary incentives for?
I rmb quite clearly SG Govt Services, Civil Servants, Satutory Board employees, all these were loudly lauded for good performances by PAP Administration law makers. Well, perhaps among them SLA was singled OUT doing a First Class Job. CPIB too NOT excluded, add in AG Chambers and SPF all worked their socks out.
The bigger danger is giving the third world, Singapore citizenship. We are already the most scammed State in the world. Now foreigners given our citizenships are going to scam the system as Singaporeans. Banks and financial institutions must create systems whereby new citizens are identified and quantum of loans are reduced and a collateral must be provided. I can forsee scams, thefts and robberies increasing. If you allow undesirables into the State, other undesirables will follow as we are experiencing now. Taxpayers end up with the bill of additional surveillance and Law enforcement work will increased. Does any of the… Read more »