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Showing posts with the label International News

Staged Accident at Sentosa, Footballer Sentenced & Singapore PR Surrendered to Malaysian Police

  A high-profile case of road rage and a staged accident at the entrance of Sentosa has concluded with 60-year-old Feng Tianxing pleading guilty to multiple charges on December 30 2025. The incident, which took place on January 28 2024 at approximately 9:30 AM, began on Telok Blangah Road as both vehicles were heading toward the Sentosa island entrance. According to court documents, Feng initiated the conflict by changing lanes without signaling, which forced a 63-year-old driver to halt abruptly. As they proceeded through the Sentosa gantry, Feng braked suddenly once more. Angered by these provocations, the other driver—who was transporting his family, including elderly relatives and children—overtook Feng and braked, resulting in a physical collision between the two cars. Following the impact, both men exited their vehicles to argue. When the other driver attempted to take photos for insurance purposes and leave the scene, Feng physically obstructed the vehicle’s path and repeate...

Adam Road Car Fire, Petrol Station Probe & Tanjong Pagar Vice Crackdown

  On January 4 2026, a dramatic road accident on Adam Road resulted in a vehicle fire and significant damage to public utility equipment. At approximately 3:50 PM, a car driven by a 27-year-old woman was travelling towards Lornie Highway when it is believed to have self-skidded near the slip road to Arcadia Road. The vehicle crashed directly into gas equipment located on the side of the road, causing the equipment to become dislodged. The impact triggered a fire that quickly involved both the car and the gas infrastructure. The Singapore Civil Defence Force was alerted at 3:55 PM and deployed two water jets to extinguish the blaze. Due to the involvement of gas equipment, SP Group officers were called to the scene to safely isolate the gas supply. The driver and her 30-year-old female passenger remained conscious and were transported to Tan Tock Seng Hospital for medical attention. Police investigations into the cause of the accident and the subsequent fire are ongoing. Earlier the...

Travel Agency Suspended, Medium Jailed for Assault, NUS Prof Sacked & Cigarette Smuggling

  On December 31 2025, the Singapore Tourism Board issued an immediate suspension to Sunshine Tours and Travel. The travel agency failed to provide its audited statement of accounts and annual business profile returns within the required six-month period following the end of its financial year. These documents are essential for the board to monitor industry health and licensee performance. The suspension began on the final day of the year and will last until the documents are submitted or for a maximum of six months. During this time, the company is prohibited from accepting new travel bookings, though it remains legally obligated to fulfill its existing commitments to current customers. In a significant criminal case, 63-year-old Tan Beng Kwee was sentenced to nine years and four months in prison on December 31 2025. Tan, who served as a spiritual medium at a home temple in Ang Mo Kio, was found guilty of sexual penetration of a minor, attempted sexual penetration, and procuring a...

24-Year-Old Malaysian Scam Suspect Arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint

  On December 29, 2025, the Singapore Police Force announced a significant breakthrough in its ongoing battle against transnational organized crime with the arrest of 24-year-old Eugene Goh. A Malaysian national, Goh was apprehended at the Woodlands Checkpoint on December 28 as he attempted to enter Singapore. Authorities have linked him to a notorious Cambodia-based organized criminal group that has successfully defrauded victims in Singapore of tens of millions of dollars. The criminal syndicate in question specialized in government official impersonation scams. According to police data, this group is believed to be responsible for approximately 440 reported cases, resulting in financial losses totaling at least $41 million. The operation was managed from a secure compound located in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The sophisticated nature of the group’s activities prompted a massive joint enforcement operation between the Singapore Police Force and the Cambodian police on S...

SIA Business Class Theft: Chinese National Jailed for Syndicate Operation

  On December 23, 2025, Liu Ming, a 26-year-old Chinese national, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for committing a high-value theft on a Singapore Airlines flight. The case serves as a stark reminder of the organized nature of in-flight criminal syndicates that target premium passengers on long-haul routes. Liu was convicted of one count of theft after investigations revealed he was part of a larger criminal organization that specifically financed his travel to carry out mid-air robberies. The incident occurred during a flight departing from Dubai on August 7, which was scheduled to land in Singapore the following morning. Liu had been placed in the business class cabin, a seat funded by the criminal syndicate he represented, to give him access to wealthy travelers and their high-value belongings. At approximately 2:00 am Singapore time on August 8, while the aircraft was in transit and the cabin lights were dimmed to allow passengers to sleep, Liu initiated his plan. Leaving ...

11 More Vehicles Impounded for Illegal Cross-Border Rides

  On December 18, 2025, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) reported that 11 vehicles were recently impounded during islandwide enforcement operations against illegal cross-border ride-hailing services. These arrests took place at land checkpoints and areas including Fernvale Road and Mandai Road. Since July 2025, the LTA has checked over 2,700 vehicles and impounded a total of 152 vehicles. These enforcement efforts are supported by the National Private Hire Vehicles Association and the National Taxi Association to protect passenger safety and the livelihoods of licensed drivers. Drivers caught providing these unlicensed services face heavy penalties, including fines up to $3,000, six months in jail, and the potential forfeiture of their vehicles.  Passengers are encouraged to use licensed services provided by companies like ComfortDelGro, Strides Premier, Trans-Cab, and Prime, which offer safe transport to Larkin Sentral Terminal in Johor. The LTA remains committed to monitor...

Indonesian Man Jailed for Smuggling Illegal Immigrants into Singapore

  On December 17, 2025, a Singapore court sentenced 23-year-old Febry Iswanto, an Indonesian national, to eight months in prison and three strokes of the cane. The sentencing followed his guilty plea to charges under the Immigration Act for intentionally aiding individuals to enter Singapore illegally. The court heard that Febry, who worked on an Indonesian-registered tugboat, facilitated the illegal entry of five unidentified individuals over two separate occasions in August and October of 2024. The background of the case reveals that Febry began working on a tugboat that towed a barge in March 2024. During his employment, he became acquainted with a fellow worker named Jefryansyah. Although Jefryansyah was terminated from the company last year due to poor performance, he remained in contact with Febry. In August 2024, Jefryansyah reached out to Febry via text message with a proposition to smuggle people into Singapore. For every person successfully brought into the country, Febry...

Foreign Nationals Arrested in Multi-Agency Raids at Migrant Worker Dormitories

  A series of targeted, multi-agency anti-drug operations led by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) resulted in the arrest of seven Bangladeshi men for suspected drug-related offenses. The operations, which took place from December 8 to 11, 2025, were conducted at various migrant worker dormitories across the island. The arrested men are aged between 20 and 40 years old. The enforcement actions were a joint effort demonstrating Singapore's sustained commitment to clamping down on illegal activities, including drug offenses and other crimes. The CNB was supported by officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Health Sciences Authority (HSA), Singapore Customs, and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Operations Breakdown The arrests were made across three distinct operations: Jurong West (December 8): In the evening of December 8, CNB officers arrested a 25-year-old Bangladeshi man at a dormitory in the vicinity of Jurong West for suspec...

American Molester Nabbed in 4 Hours at Singapore Changi Airport!

  An American man, Jeffrey Alan Carreiro, 46, was charged with molesting a six-year-old girl in the transit area of Changi Airport Terminal 3 on December 9 at about 5 PM. Carreiro was subsequently ordered on December 11 to be remanded at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for a medical examination. Court documents allege that Carreiro kissed and touched the girl’s abdomen and lifted her trousers’ waistband to peer inside while she was sleeping on a bench next to her mother. The mother woke up, confronted Carreiro, and alerted the police when he walked away. Officers from the Airport Police Division used CCTV footage to establish his identity and successfully arrested him within just four hours of receiving the report. Carreiro's case will be mentioned again in court on December 23. If convicted of molesting a child under 14, he faces up to five years’ jail, a fine, or caning, or a combination of these.

44-Year-Old Malaysian Driver Arrested for Cigarette Smuggling

  On December 1, 2025, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at Woodlands Checkpoint foiled an attempt to smuggle a significant haul of duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore. Acting on information from the Integrated Targeting Centre (ITC), ICA Search & Examination officers conducted enhanced checks on a Malaysia-registered car. They discovered over 370 cartons and 1,600 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes concealed within modified compartments of the vehicle. A 44-year-old male Malaysian driver was arrested in connection with the smuggling case. The driver and the seized contraband were handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigation. The ICA stated its commitment to facilitating trade and travel while upholding the safety and security of Singapore’s borders.

Elderly Gamblers and Hostesses Arrested in Enforcement Operations

  The Singapore Police Force (SPF) spearheaded a series of intensive, multi-agency enforcement operations between the late hours of December 3 and 6, 2025, aimed at clamping down on criminal activities across various locations. The operations were a collaborative effort, led by the Tanglin Police Division, and involved officers from several other law enforcement and regulatory bodies, including the Health Sciences Authority, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). This joint approach allowed for comprehensive checks targeting various illicit activities simultaneously. A single night of operations, specifically on December 3, 2025, saw officers hitting locations in both Whampoa and Orchard Road, resulting in the arrest of 37 individuals for suspected offenses such as illegal gambling and vice-related activities. Whampoa: Targeting Illegal Gambling In the Whampoa operation, officers focused on rooting ...

Police Arrest Chinese National for Three Housebreaking Cases

  The Police have successfully apprehended a 40-year-old male Chinese national for his suspected involvement in three separate housebreaking-related cases that occurred over a short span of time. Between December 7 and 8, 2025, the Police received alerts concerning three distinct housebreaking incidents at residential units across several locations: along Chuan Drive, Li Hwan Close, and in the vicinity of Sentosa Island. These areas span from the heartlands to one of Singapore’s most exclusive residential zones, suggesting a pattern of opportunistic or wide-ranging criminal activity. Officers from the Ang Mo Kio Police Division launched an intensive investigation immediately. Through extensive ground enquiries, coupled with crucial assistance from high-resolution images captured by both CCTV systems and Police cameras, investigators were able to successfully establish the identity of the man. The suspect was subsequently arrested on December 8, 2025. Preliminary investigations into...

Singaporean and Indian National Arrested in Largest Inland Contraband Cigarette Bust

  Singapore Customs announced a major victory against tax evasion on December 8, 2025, confirming the seizure of the largest inland haul of contraband cigarettes to date for the year. The operation, conducted over two days, resulted in the seizure of a total of 17,279 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes and a van, with the total duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) evaded exceeding $1.87 million. Four men, one Singaporean and three Indian nationals were arrested in connection with the large-scale smuggling activities. The enforcement operations were mounted on November 30 and December 1, 2025, at two separate locations: Pandan Loop and Jurong Port Road. The first operation took place on November 30, 2025, at an industrial building in Pandan Loop. Customs officers observed a Singapore-registered van reversing into a loading and unloading bay. Three men were seen loading brown boxes into the vehicle's cargo compartment. Officers quickly moved in, conducted a check, and initially uncov...

Viral Footage Shows Failed Robbery Attempt in Johor

  A viral video from December 6, 2025, documented a failed daylight snatch theft in Johor Setia Indah. The footage showed a woman walking by the roadside when a motorcycle carrying two individuals approached. The passenger, acting as the thief, attempted to grab her handbag. The attempt caused the thief to fall from the motorcycle and the victim to fall to the floor. The thief fled on foot without the bag, while the motorcyclist immediately drove off. The driver of the recording vehicle played a role in deterring the thief by honking non-stop. The video's poster commented that the security situation in the area is "terrible," emphasizing that "robberies are happening in broad daylight." The incident highlights significant safety concerns for pedestrians and calls for increased security measures in the Johor Setia Indah locality.

Drunk Grab Customer Rages, Smashes Windshield and Assaults Driver

  A distressing incident involving an aggressive passenger and a Grab driver in Malaysia has garnered attention following a viral social media post by the affected driver on December 4, 2025. The driver, who operates at night to earn extra income for his children’s schooling, detailed a violent encounter with an intoxicated customer that resulted in significant physical injury and damage to his vehicle. The incident began in the early hours of December 3, 2025, at approximately 12:40 AM. The driver picked up the customer, whom he described as a "Type C customer" and intoxicated, noting that he is accustomed to transporting drunk passengers as he typically drives only at night. Upon reaching the designated destination, the situation quickly escalated when the customer refused to exit the vehicle. The passenger made an immediate and unusual demand, stating he would only leave the car if the driver gave him 20 dollars. Complicating the matter, the driver had already lined up his...

Worker Jailed for Faking Fraudulent Compensation Claim after Failed Appeal

  A migrant worker, Islam Mohammad Khabirul, a 34-year-old shipyard worker from Bangladesh, has failed in his appeal to the High Court against his conviction for making a fraudulent claim for work injury compensation. Khabirul was sentenced to 13 weeks’ jail after being found guilty on three charges: one for making the fraudulent claim and two for submitting false statements to a Ministry of Manpower (MOM) investigation officer. High Court judge Vincent Hoong dismissed Khabirul’s appeal on December 3. Khabirul, who was employed by a company called Vigour Technologies and worked on a vessel named Heerema Sleipnir at Sembcorp Marine Tuas Boulevard Yard, had maintained that his employer and co-workers conspired to implicate him, with the employer masterminding the conspiracy to cover up a genuine accident and avoid regulatory scrutiny regarding the accident. Justice Hoong rejected this argument, stating that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to prove that Khabirul had been...

Ministry of Manpower to End Performing Artiste Permit After Illegal Employment Exposed

  The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced on Monday, December 1, 2025, that it will cease the Work Permit scheme for foreign performing artistes due to widespread abuse by syndicates. Consequently, the Ministry will stop accepting new applications to hire foreign workers under the Performing Artiste Work Permit scheme from June 1, 2026. The scheme, originally introduced in 2008, was intended to allow licensed public entertainment outlets, such as bars, hotels, and nightclubs, to hire foreign performing artistes of any nationality for short-term engagements lasting up to six months. However, recent enforcement operations carried out by the Ministry of Manpower in collaboration with the police uncovered substantial manipulation of the system. These operations revealed syndicates utilizing non-operating public entertainment outlets to fraudulently hire foreign performing artistes under the scheme. These foreign workers were subsequently released to work illegally at various other pub...

Jail Time for Swedish Student for F1 Trespass

  A Swedish national, Alkallas Karam, aged 23, who was in Singapore on an exchange program, was recently sentenced to four weeks in jail after pleading guilty to two counts of criminal trespass. The charges stemmed from an incident where he unlawfully entered the restricted premises of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix 2025 held at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on October 4. The events began when Alkallas expressed to his friends on October 3 that the tickets for the annual event were prohibitively expensive. Despite this, he decided to attempt to gain unauthorized entry the following day. At approximately 7 PM on October 4, Alkallas arrived at Gate 1 of the Circuit Park area. He encountered a male volunteer, identified in court documents as B1, who was tasked with scanning entry tickets. Alkallas initially approached B1, claiming his ticket was with a friend, and B1 instructed him to wait. About 30 minutes later, Alkallas approached the volunteer again, reiterating that his fri...

Massive E-Vaporiser Smuggling Attempt Foiled at Tuas Checkpoint

  On December 1, 2025, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority reported that its officers at Tuas Checkpoint foiled a significant smuggling attempt on November 17, 2025. The operation involved a 55-year-old Singaporean man driving a Singapore-registered car. Officers directed the vehicle for enhanced checks, leading to the discovery of over 2,800 e-vaporisers and related components. The illegal items were found meticulously concealed within various compartments of the car, indicating a deliberate attempt to evade detection at the border. The prompt intervention by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority prevented a large quantity of prohibited goods from entering the country. The case was promptly referred to the Health Sciences Authority for detailed investigation into the illegal importation. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority emphasized that robust border security is a crucial aspect of its enforcement strategy against e-vaporisers, reiterating its commitment to...

Elderly Malaysian Woman Arrested as Mule in MAS Impersonation Scam

  The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has arrested a 73-year-old Malaysian woman for her suspected involvement as a money mule in at least three cases of the Government Official Impersonation Scam (GOIS), in which scammers posed as officials from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The Scam and Modus Operandi The scam incidents occurred between October 8 and November 24, 2025. Impersonation: The scammers contacted victims, claiming to be officials from the "Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)". The Lie: Victims were falsely informed that their bank accounts were linked to money laundering activities or that their personal information had been compromised. Instruction to Victims: Victims were instructed to surrender their cash and valuables (including gold bars) to the scammers for the purported purpose of investigations. The Handover: Victims complied, meeting unknown individuals at various locations across Singapore to hand over the items. The victims realized they had...