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Gatekeepers or conduits? Fortifying Singapore’s incorruptibility

Even with strong regulations, professional intermediaries remain attractive entry points for criminals

    • In the age of complex transnational financial crime, the future of anti-money laundering depends on the integrity of those who stand at the system’s entry points.
    • In the age of complex transnational financial crime, the future of anti-money laundering depends on the integrity of those who stand at the system’s entry points. ILLUSTRATION: UNSPLASH
    Published Sat, Mar 21, 2026 · 07:00 AM

    SINGAPORE remains one of the world’s least corrupt nations but was recently flagged for the facilitation of dirty money. Despite Singapore’s zero tolerance for corruption, the country was embroiled in a S$3 billion money laundering scandal and the Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) corruption scandal that shook the foundations of its financial reputation.

    While Singapore remains a premier global corporate hub, its very strengths – stability, reputation for integrity and massive capital flows – are ironically what make it an attractive target for those seeking to launder illicit funds. 

    At the heart of this tension lies a recurring feature in global money laundering cases: the role of professional intermediaries.