Alleged syndicate mastermind charged; accused of running money laundering

An alleged syndicate mastermind accused of coordinating money laundering operations in Singapore was charged on Sept 23 with engaging in a conspiracy to help others retain crime benefits.



Chin Hock Khan, 27, a Malaysian man whose nickname is “Da Xiang”, is also said to have coordinated a government official impersonation scam, said the police in an earlier statement.



He had allegedly worked with others between March and June in the collection of cash and gold items from Singapore-based individuals. In their statement, police said Chin was allegedly responsible for recruiting and coordinating with other Malaysians to conduct scam and money laundering operations in Singapore.





Preliminary investigations revealed he had allegedly met at least four Malaysian runners on multiple occasions in their home country, assigned them tasks, coordinated cash withdrawals at automated teller machines and disbursed their earnings from these jobs.



Chin is believed to be responsible for laundering at least $500,000 in scam and illicit proceeds.



Cyber Command officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Royal Malaysia Police's Commercial Crime Investigation Department then worked together on the case.



The Singapore authorities issued a warrant of arrest against Chin, and he was arrested in Malaysia on Sept 22.