Singaporean swindlers have fled to Thailand
A Singaporean couple wanted for swindling US$22 million from customers has fled to Thailand.
The Singaporean man, Pi Jiapeng, and his Thai wife, Pansuk Siriwipa, hid in a lorry container as they made their escape from the police and Interpol after conning more than 200 customers out of their hard-earned cash for luxury goods that were not delivered.
The Singapore Police arrested the 26 year old man on June 27 for his suspected involvement in the cheating offences. He was released on bail the following day but police confiscated his passport while the investigation was ongoing.
The man’s 27 year old wife also was arrested. Pansuk was asked to surrender her passport on June 30. But soon after the couple went AWOL and no one could contact them.
A spokesperson from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority reported that the couple hid in a lorry’s container compartment as they departed Singapore on July 4. This begs the question, if they knew, why didn’t they stop them?
A Chinese daily Shin Min Daily News, reckons the couple’s aliases are Kevin and Ann. Shin Min Daily News reported the couple left Singapore and entered Malaysia from Tuas Checkpoint and are now in Thailand.
The lorry driver, Mohamed Alias allegedly helped the couple.
The 40 year old Malaysian lorry driver was arrested by the police on July 12 and charged on July 15 with abetting another person to depart Singapore illegally.
Pictures courtesy of Shin Min Daily News
Warrants of arrest and Interpol red notices have been issued against the couple. Red notices are issued for fugitives wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence.
The couple supposedly specialises in procuring luxury goods for other people, such as Rolex watches, and designer bags, under the name Tradenation, which was registered as a precious stones and precious metals dealer on April 2.
Customers placed their orders through social media platforms Instagram or Carousell, and made advance payments to the couple, who also own a physical shop at Tanjong Pagar. But the couple ghosted their customers and no one could contact them leaving 200 people claiming they have not received the luxury goods they paid for.
One 37-year-old customer told Shin Min Daily News that he had handed over US$503,000 for six Rolex and Patek Philippe watches earlier this year and is yet to receive them. The 37 year old said he was confident his order would be delivered as he received a watch from the platform in 2021 which cost US$19,000.
Consequently, the Ministry of Law suspended Tradenation operating as a business until the police investigation finishes.
If the couple are found guilty, they face up to 10 years in prison.
The police said they are working closely with foreign law enforcement counterparts to trace the couple and the criminal proceeds.
SOURCE: Straits Times Mothership
