Interpol alerted as couple go missing after allegedly failing to deliver S$32m of luxury goods
AT least 180 reports have been lodged since June against a couple who allegedly failed to deliver luxury goods to customers, said the police on Tuesday (Jul 19).
The Straits Times understands the undelivered items, which are mostly watches, are worth at least S$32m.
In response to ST's queries, a police spokesperson said the reports were made against 2 companies, Tradenation and Tradeluxury.
He added: "The complainants alleged that they made advance payments for luxury watches or luxury bags to the companies, which failed to deliver them."
The police arrested a 26-year-old Singaporean man on Jun 27 for his suspected involvement in cheating offences.
His passport was impounded and he was released on bail the next day, pending the completion of investigations, said the police.
BT in your inbox
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
His wife, 27, was also assisting the police with investigations and surrendered her passport to the police on Jun 30. The couple subsequently became uncontactable.
ST understands the woman is a Thai national.
The police said they arrested a 40-year-old Malaysian man last Wednesday who had allegedly helped the couple in leaving Singapore on Jul 4.
The man was charged last Friday with abetting another person to depart Singapore illegally.
The police spokesperson added: "The police are working closely with foreign law enforcement counterparts to trace the couple and the criminal proceeds.
"Warrants of arrest and Interpol red notices have been issued against the couple."
Those convicted of cheating can be jailed for up to 10 years.
The Ministry of Law had told ST on Tuesday morning that Tradenation was registered as a precious stones and precious metals dealer on Apr 2.
"Registered dealers are regulated by the Registrar of Regulated Dealers only for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism purposes," said the ministry spokesman.
Tradenation submitted its registration application to MinLaw as it was conducting regulated dealing and at the point of registration, there were no grounds to refuse the registration, said MinLaw.
The spokesperson added: "MinLaw has suspended Tradenation's registration due to the ongoing police investigations. As police investigations are ongoing, we are unable to comment further."
ST spoke to 10 victims, aged between 24 and 52, over the past week.
They had paid between S$20,000 and S$280,000 for luxury goods that were never delivered to them.
One victim, 48, who declined to be named, forked out S$280,000 - a majority of his life savings - for 2 Rolex watches and a Patek Philippe watch.
He had planned to sell both Rolex watches for a profit but they never arrived.
Another victim, 24, spent S$62,500 on a Rolex watch as a post graduation present for herself.
She told ST that she trusted the couple as she had made a purchase with them in October last year. THE STRAITS TIMES
Copyright SPH Media. All rights reserved.
