Three Myanmar nationals were convicted on 26 December 2023 for failing to give a report on the movement of currency valued at SGD 508,925 when they were leaving Singapore.
On 15 June 2023, the Police were alerted to a case of three male subjects carrying cash exceeding SGD 20,000 out of Singapore at the Departure Hall of Changi Airport Terminal 1. Investigations revealed that Myanmar national, Kyaw Min Oo (“Kyaw”), attempted to leave Singapore without making a report on the movement of SGD 508,925 in cash out of Singapore. Two other Myanmar nationals, Wai Sar Tun (“Wai”) and Win Myint (“Win”), abetted him by each carrying a portion of the cash for Kyaw, intentionally aiding his attempt to move the cash out of Singapore without making a declaration.
The three men were identified for checks as they were walking towards the customs check in the Departure Hall. Wai was found to be carrying SGD 250,000 in cash belonging to Kyaw in one luggage bag and Win was carrying SGD 249,000 in cash belonging to Kyaw in a second luggage bag. Kyaw was carrying SGD 9,925 on him.
The three men knew that the amount they were moving out of Singapore was above the prescribed limit of SGD 20,000 and had failed to give a full and accurate report of this movement of cash to a Singapore immigration officer.
On 26 December 2023, Kyaw was convicted of an offence under Section 60(1) punishable under Section 60(2) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 (“CDSA”), while Wai and Win were each convicted of an offence under Section 60(1) CDSA read with Section 109 of the Penal Code 1871. In respect of Kyaw, a charge under section 5(3)(a) of the Payment Services Act read with Section 109 Penal Code 1871 was also taken into consideration for the purposes of sentencing. Kyaw was sentenced to a fine of SGD 10,000, while Wai and Win were sentenced to a fine of SGD 5,000 each.
The Police would like to remind the public that while there are no restrictions on the amount of Cash or Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNIs) that can be moved into or out of Singapore, it is a statutory requirement to report the cross border physical movement of the CBNIs if the total value exceeds SGD 20,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currency). Failure to accurately report the movement of CBNIs exceeding SGD 20,000 is an offence punishable under Section 60(2) of the CDSA Act 1992.
Offenders are liable to a fine not exceeding SGD 50,000 or to an imprisonment term of up to three years, or both. A confiscation order may also be sought for any part of the cash, in relation to which the offence was committed, that exceeds SGD 20,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency). More information on Cross Border Cash Movement Reporting can be found on SPF’s website (www.police.gov.sg/Advisories/Crime/Commercial-Crimes/Suspicious-Transaction-Reporting-Office).
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
05 January 2024 @ 1:50 PM