SINGAPORE:  , An Indonesian man will be charged in court on Thursday ( Feb 27 ) with money laundering and failing to report movements of cash into Singapore.
The 35-year-old is even suspected of connections to an illegal online gaming advertising activity, the authorities said in a media release on Wednesday.  ,
On Feb 17, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officers found the man with , US$ 20, 000 ( S$ 26, 750 ) at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. At the time of his entrance into Singapore, he had not declared the total.  ,
According to the police, “investigations by the Commercial Affairs Department revealed that the person was reportedly involved in an illegal online gaming ad operation based in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.”  ,
He reportedly collaborated with others to make and post ads for illegal betting websites on social media platforms, mostly targeting Indonesian victims, between 2022 and 2025.
The funds found in the boy’s hands was allegedly converted from around 326, 000, 000 ringgit that he had received in Pekanbaru, Indonesia as pay for advertising companies.
According to police, he intended to bring the money to Cambodia to help with the illegal gambling advertisement operation.
” Criminals will seek to avoid bank controls and oversight by moving their illicit proceeds by cash”, said , Commercial Affairs Department director , David Chew.
Singapore has now identified and interdicted illicit cash proceeds from an international crime syndicate, having stopped and seized remote gambling proceeds that are flowing through our banking system.
He added that Singapore will not tolerate money laundering, and that , anyone attempting to move criminal proceeds through the country’s jurisdiction will be detected and charged.
He also said that this case shows how Singapore ‘s , cross-border cash reporting regime detects and intercepts the , suspicious movements of cash or bearer negotiable instruments that may , be linked to transnational criminal activities.
Those found guilty of possessing benefits from criminal conduct face up to 10 years ‘ jail, a fine of up to S$ 500, 000, or both.  ,
The offence of failing to report the movement of cash exceeding S$ 20, 000 carries , a fine of up to S$ 50, 000, up to three years in jail, or both.  , A confiscation order may also be issued for any part of the cash, in relation to the offence committed.