Supt Lee Thai Ching, a seasoned investigator, received an Individual Commendation Award for unmasking a complex, multi-million-dollar financial crime.
By: Glenn Wong
What does it take to uncover years of ill-gotten wealth hidden by an organised crime leader?
The answer lies in painstakingly connecting the dots across a web of illicit activity and countless hidden financial transactions.
A 17-year veteran of the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Superintendent of Police (Supt) Lee Thai Ching began his policing journey in 2008 as an Inspector at the Central Police Division. He knew it would be a good fit: “My training in the SAF and SPF had instilled a sense of rigour that is aligned naturally with the discipline and constant learning that policing demands.”
Supt Lee would go on to serve at the Commercial Affairs Department and Tanglin Police Division before posting to Criminal Investigation Department’s Financial Investigation Branch (FIB) in January 2022.
It was at the FIB that Supt Lee would take on his most complex and demanding case of financial crime.
Ill-gotten Gains from Remote Gambling
At the FIB, Supt Lee’s role was centred on conducting financial investigations into crime syndicates and confiscating assets derived from illicit activities. It’s meticulous work that involves the careful collection, tracing and analysis of large volumes of financial records.
Among the many cases that Supt Lee and his team worked on, one stood out for its sheer complexity. It involved an organised crime leader who’d accumulated an unexplained amount of wealth from illegal gambling activities.
The accused had been arrested in November 2016 along with over 40 other persons, during an operation against an organised criminal group that provided illegal remote gambling services that facilitated lottery and horse betting.
Through thorough investigations, the accused was found to have purchased properties, made investments and amassed assets far exceeding his known sources of income.
In April 2021, the accused was convicted under the Remote Gambling Act 2014 and the Organised Crime Act 2015. He was sentenced to an imprisonment term of nine years and a fine of almost $447,000.
An Investigator’s World
But there was more to be done. The FIB investigators had to conduct intensive interviews and dig deep into years of financial records to trace the offender’s wealth and assets to build an airtight case. Supt Lee and his team also worked closely with other Police units, Law Enforcement Agencies, Public Prosecutors and forensic accountants.
“It was meticulous work – patience and precision are crucial when reviewing financial records,” he noted.
Through sheer persistence and strong inter-agency collaboration, the investigation led to a High Court order on 20 November 2024 that compelled the offender to repay approximately 4.12 million dollars to the state.
“This case was memorable because of its complexity and the teamwork involved,” Supt Lee recalled. “Despite the many investigative challenges, we worked closely, supported one another and stayed focused.”
The outcome also reinforced his sense of purpose as a Police officer: “We don’t just solve cases; we uphold the truth .”
Growing with the Force
Following his impactful work in the FIB, Supt Lee was posted to Jurong Police Division in January 2025. As Deputy Head of Investigation, he leads a large team in tackling a range of offences.
His experience in financial investigations have proved to be invaluable in his new role. Supt Lee applies his sharp eye to uncover patterns of criminal behaviour.
Embracing his new responsibilities, Supt Lee remains committed to helping his team grow as officers. “Policing is a challenging but meaningful career like no other,” he reflects. “We know that every case that’s solved and every person we help contributes to a safer community.”
To excel as an officer, Supt Lee offers this advice: “Understand your role deeply, stay adaptable and always seek to improve!”
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