SINGAPORE, July 30 (The Straits Times/ANN): Another man has been arrested for helping the couple involved in the luxury goods scam flee Singapore after they allegedly failed to deliver S$32 million (RM103 million) worth of goods to customers.
In a statement on Friday night (July 29), the police said a 38-year-old Malaysian allegedly worked in conspiracy with his countryman, Mohamed Alias, 40, to help Singaporean Pi Jiapeng, 26, and Thai national Pansuk Siriwipa, 27, leave Singapore on July 4.
"With strong cooperation and assistance from the Royal Malaysia Police, the 38-year-old man was arrested in Malaysia on July 29," said the Singapore Police Force (SPF).
He will be charged in court on Saturday (July 30). If convicted, he can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $6,000.
Mohamed Alias was charged in court on July 15 for assisting the couple to depart illegally.
The couple had allegedly stowed away in the container compartment of a Malaysia-registered lorry with the licence plate number JUH7245.
Mohamed Alias is said to have driven the vehicle carrying the fugitive couple at around 7.25pm on July 4 at Tuas Checkpoint's departure cargo section.
At least 180 reports have been lodged against the couple since June, SPF said on July 19.
The victims claimed they had made advance payments for luxury watches or luxury bags to the couple, who failed to deliver them.
Mr Pi was arrested on June 27 for his suspected involvement in cheating offences.
His passport was impounded and he was released on bail the next day.
His wife, Ms Pansuk, was not arrested but was assisting the police with their investigations.
She surrendered her passport to the police on June 30.
The couple subsequently became uncontactable, said the police last week.
Warrants of arrest and Interpol red notices have been issued against the couple.
SPF said they are working closely with foreign law enforcement counterparts to trace the couple and the criminal proceeds. - The Straits Times/ANN
