Missing couple who allegedly failed to deliver luxury goods fled Singapore in lorry container compartment: ICA
A 40-year-old man who allegedly helped the couple to leave Singapore illegally was arrested last week.
26-year-old Singaporean man Pi Jiapeng (left) and 27-year-old Thai woman Pansuk Siriwipa are wanted in connection with a series of cheating cases associated with the companies Tradenation and Tradeluxury. (Photos: Singapore Police Force)
SINGAPORE: A couple who went missing after allegedly failing to deliver luxury watches and bags fled Singapore by hiding in the container compartment of a lorry, said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Wednesday (Jul 20).
ICA said in response to queries from CNA that a 40-year-old Malaysian man helped the couple leave Singapore illegally by allegedly hiding them in a lorry.
"ICA takes a serious view of attempts to enter or depart Singapore illegally and will not hesitate to prosecute offenders for such cases," a spokesperson told CNA.
"We are working closely with the relevant authorities on this case."
Arrest warrants and Interpol notices have been issued against the couple, the police said.
On Wednesday evening, in an appeal to the public for information, the police released the names of the 26-year-old Singaporean man and 27-year-old Thai woman: Pi Jiapeng and Pansuk Siriwipa.
At least 180 reports involving two companies, Tradenation and Tradeluxury, have been 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.
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.
ICA said that it conducts checks on all arrivals and "adopts a risk management approach" for checks on departing conveyances, in order to balance smooth departure clearance and border security at the checkpoints.
Departing conveyances may be directed for further checks based on risk profiling or any information received, the ICA spokesperson said.
