This year, at least 12 people have been taken to court in separate cases for trying to sneak a total of more than $6 million in and out of Singapore.
Moving such large sums across the border without declaring them to the authorities is a serious offence, as the money could be used to finance terrorists or criminal activities such as illegal moneylending and drug trafficking, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Victor Lim yesterday, in a hearing into the latest case.
He asked for a stiff sentence for Law Kien Jean, 26, who pleaded guilty to bringing in cash and cheques totalling $637,000 in June.
The Malaysian was fined $30,000 for failing to declare the money he was carrying, and jailed for two weeks for lying to an immigration officer about the amount when he was caught.
Under Singapore law, anyone carrying more than $30,000 in cash or cash cheques, or an equivalent amount in foreign currency, across its borders must declare the sum to an immigration officer.
The court heard that at about 4pm on June 15, an officer stopped Law for a routine check at the Woodlands Checkpoint.
A large stash of cash was found in a black bag under the driver’s seat.
When asked how much he had, Law said it amounted to only $53,500.
But a search found $75,600 in Singapore currency, $690 worth of Malaysian ringgit and 10 cash cheques bearing a total amount of RM1.36 million, adding up to about $637,000 at the exchange rate then.
Law, who did not have a lawyer, said he and his friends were running a money- exchange business and that in his rush to get to the bank before it closed for the day, he decided not to declare the money.
He had considered the requirement a technicality, but now regretted breaking the law as his partners do not want him in the business any longer.
Judge Toh Yung Cheong said that while a heavy fine could be sufficient for the offence of bringing in the money, lying to a public officer, especially one involved in border security, must be punished with a jail sentence.
The court also ordered that the money be returned to Law.
Like him, many people regard the requirement to declare cash a hassle, said private investigator T. Mogan, who has been hired to escort clients travelling with large sums of money.
These clients are often on business trips, but he said they should appreciate that criminal syndicates also move money around.
‘So those who disregard the law must be taught a lesson.’
Such cases are on the rise. Police told The Straits Times that only two people were convicted last year, for carrying a total of $400,000.
Explaining why the declarations are necessary, a police spokesman said: ‘Transnational crime groups and terrorism financiers around the world have been known to use cash couriers.
‘As an active and integrated member of the global economy, Singapore could also be susceptible to such illegal activities.’
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Money mule jailed for 2 weeks, fined $30,000
Khushwant Singh
15 December 2009
This year, at least 12 people have been taken to court in separate cases for trying to sneak a total of more than $6 million in and out of Singapore.
Moving such large sums across the border without declaring them to the authorities is a serious offence, as the money could be used to finance terrorists or criminal activities such as illegal moneylending and drug trafficking, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Victor Lim yesterday, in a hearing into the latest case.
He asked for a stiff sentence for Law Kien Jean, 26, who pleaded guilty to bringing in cash and cheques totalling $637,000 in June.
The Malaysian was fined $30,000 for failing to declare the money he was carrying, and jailed for two weeks for lying to an immigration officer about the amount when he was caught.
Under Singapore law, anyone carrying more than $30,000 in cash or cash cheques, or an equivalent amount in foreign currency, across its borders must declare the sum to an immigration officer.
The court heard that at about 4pm on June 15, an officer stopped Law for a routine check at the Woodlands Checkpoint.
A large stash of cash was found in a black bag under the driver’s seat.
When asked how much he had, Law said it amounted to only $53,500.
But a search found $75,600 in Singapore currency, $690 worth of Malaysian ringgit and 10 cash cheques bearing a total amount of RM1.36 million, adding up to about $637,000 at the exchange rate then.
Law, who did not have a lawyer, said he and his friends were running a money- exchange business and that in his rush to get to the bank before it closed for the day, he decided not to declare the money.
He had considered the requirement a technicality, but now regretted breaking the law as his partners do not want him in the business any longer.
Judge Toh Yung Cheong said that while a heavy fine could be sufficient for the offence of bringing in the money, lying to a public officer, especially one involved in border security, must be punished with a jail sentence.
The court also ordered that the money be returned to Law.
Like him, many people regard the requirement to declare cash a hassle, said private investigator T. Mogan, who has been hired to escort clients travelling with large sums of money.
These clients are often on business trips, but he said they should appreciate that criminal syndicates also move money around.
‘So those who disregard the law must be taught a lesson.’
Such cases are on the rise. Police told The Straits Times that only two people were convicted last year, for carrying a total of $400,000.
Explaining why the declarations are necessary, a police spokesman said: ‘Transnational crime groups and terrorism financiers around the world have been known to use cash couriers.
‘As an active and integrated member of the global economy, Singapore could also be susceptible to such illegal activities.’
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