Arrest warrants, Interpol notices issued for couple who allegedly failed to deliver luxury watches, bags
Another man was arrested for allegedly helping the couple to leave Singapore illegally while police investigations were ongoing.
A photo of a person in handcuffs. (File photo: CNA/Jeremy Long)
SINGAPORE: Arrest warrants and Interpol notices have been issued against a couple who went missing after allegedly failing to deliver luxury watches and bags, the police said on Wednesday (Jul 20).
At least 180 reports involving two companies, Tradenation and Tradeluxury, were made to police from June to date.
While some media reports said the total value of the undelivered goods is S$32 million, CNA understands that the victims who made police reports have not received goods worth at least S$20 million as of Sunday.
The complainants said they made advance payments to the company for luxury watches or bags, but the companies did not deliver the products.Â
Tradenation was registered as a precious stones and metals dealer on Apr 2, said the Ministry of Law (MinLaw). Registered dealers are regulated under the Registrar of Regulated Dealers for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism purposes.
A 26-year-old Singaporean man was arrested on Jun 27 for his suspected involvement in the cheating offences, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in response to CNA’s queries.
His passport was impounded and he was released on bail on Jun 28, pending the completion of investigations.
His 27-year-old wife was also assisting the police with investigations and surrendered her passport to officers on Jun 30.
They subsequently became uncontactable, said the SPF.
Last Wednesday, the police arrested a 40-year-old Malaysian man who allegedly helped the couple to leave Singapore on Jul 4. He was charged two days after his arrest for abetting another person to depart Singapore illegally.
SPF said arrest warrants and Interpol red notices have been issued against the couple.
According to Interpol, red notices are issued for fugitives wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence. It is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person, pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action.
“Police are working closely with foreign law enforcement counterparts to trace the couple and the criminal proceeds,” said SPF.
On Wednesday evening, in an appeal to the public for information, the police released the names of the man and Thai woman: Pi Jiapeng and Pansuk Siriwipa.
MinLaw said it has suspended Tradenation's registration due to the ongoing police investigations.
Those found guilty of cheating face an imprisonment term of up to 10 years. If Tradenation is found guilty, MinLaw will take regulatory action with a view to terminate the company's registration.
