Last of 10 convicted persons sentenced to 17 months' jail

He had demonstrated high degree of disregard for law in Singapore, says judge

- Andrew Wong

Dubai property broker Su Jianfeng was sentenced to 17 months’ jail on June 10, making him the last of the 10 foreigners arrested in an anti-money laundering blitz in August 2023 to be sent to jail.

The 36-year-old Vanuatu national, who is originally from China, pleaded guilty on June 6 to money laundering and forgery.

Another 12 charges were taken into consideration. They range from forgery and money laundering to manpower-related offences for hiring a personal chef without a valid work pass.

District Judge James Elisha Lee on June 10 said Su demonstrated a high degree of disregard for the law in Singapore, with the charges showing that he persistently committed the acts over a significant period of time.

As part of his sentence, Su agreed to forfeit $178.9 million of his assets to the state. His forfeited assets represent 95.5 per cent of the $187 million fortune seized from him and his wife Chen Qiuyan.

At the conclusion of Su’s sentencing, Mr Tan Kiat Pheng, chief prosecutor of the Attorney-General’s Chambers, said in a statement that the amounts involved make this one of the largest money laundering cases that have been prosecuted in the nation.

Said Mr Tan: “The swift prosecution of these 10 cases is a strong message to would-be criminals that Singapore will not tolerate attempts to flout our laws. We will take firm and swift action against those who exploit our system to launder illicit gains or commit white-collar crimes.”

Court documents showed that just after the couple relocated to Singapore in August 2020, they amassed a portfolio of assets that included 12 properties worth $63.9 million and seven vehicles worth $5.2 million.

To explain his wealth, Su deceived two banks in Singapore by submitting a number of property sales contracts despite knowing that they were false.