Singapore Customs has successfully apprehended seven individuals involved in a tax evasion scheme that operated through the social messaging platform, WeChat.
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According to their media release, the criminals used WeChat to recruit drivers to help them deliver duty-unpaid cigarettes.
After conducting a thorough investigation, Singapore Customs launched a two-week-long operation, resulting in the arrest of six persons with a total of 15 cartons, 16 packets and 48 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes seized.
How it was uncovered
In the media release, Singapore Customs said they actively monitor social messaging platforms and online shopping platforms in their relentless pursuit to curb the illicit trade of duty-unpaid cigarettes.
After noticing sales of duty-unpaid cigarettes being advertised on a social messaging platform WeChat, they then conduct an operation at Jurong West Street 81 on 16 January 2024.
During the operation, the officers uncovered 68 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes in a truck’s cargo compartment and cash amounting to $3,290. The cash found was allegedly the proceeds collected from the sales of duty-unpaid cigarettes.
The driver, a 42-year-old male Chinese national, was arrested, and the duty-unpaid cigarettes, cash and truck were seized. The total duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) evaded amounted to around $7,369.
Investigations revealed that the driver was allegedly engaged by an unknown person via WeChat to deliver duty-unpaid cigarettes. He was driving his company’s truck to deliver duty-unpaid cigarettes at Jurong West Street 81 when officers intercepted him. Court proceedings are ongoing against the driver.
6 more people arrested
Following the operation at Jurong West Street 81, the officers arrested six more individuals along with 15 cartons, 16 packets and 48 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes. The duty and GST evaded amounted to about $3,992. Another six bottles of duty-unpaid liquor were also seized from one of the offenders.
In an attempt to evade detection, the individuals employed various methods to conceal the smuggled cigarettes, such as hiding them behind headboards and inside luggage compartments. However, their efforts were uncovered by law enforcement officers.
Out of the six apprehended individuals, two of them were convicted in court and sentenced to fines of $2,600 and $8,900 on 22 January 2024 and 29 January respectively. The remaining four are currently facing court proceedings, while investigations continue.
Under the Customs Act and the GST Act, any involvement in the buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, possessing or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences.
Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty, and GST evaded and/or jailed for up to six years. Vehicles used in the commission of such offences and proceeds of sales of duty-unpaid cigarettes are also liable to be forfeited.
Members of the public with information on smuggling activities or evasion of duty or GST can provide information to Customs at https://go.gov.sg/reportcustomsoffence.
