SINGAPORE - A 54-year-old Singaporean man was charged in court on Saturday (Jan 2) morning over the possession and use of counterfeit casino chips.
Toh Hock Thiam, believed to be the leader of a syndicate responsible for counterfeit casino chips in Singapore, was arrested in Malaysia on Thursday (Dec 31), the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a news release on Friday.
His arrest was aided by "strong cooperation and assistance" from the Royal Malaysia Police and the Macau Judiciary Police, after an arrest warrant was issued for Toh by the State Courts in Singapore.
Toh was handed over to the SPF on Friday.
If convicted, Toh could be jailed up to seven years and/or fined a maximum of $150,000.
SPF said officers from the Casino Crime Investigation Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had started probes in end-November 2015 into a case of suspected counterfeit chips used at the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) casino.
Counterfeit casino chips worth more than $1 million, mobile phones and cash were also seized as case exhibits during the course of investigations.
SPF has thanked the Royal Malaysia Police and Macau Judiciary Police for their assistance in apprehending Toh.
"The arrest of this syndicate leader bears testament to the excellent relationships forged between the Singapore Police Force and the RMP and MJP," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations & Intelligence) and director of the CID, Tan Chye Hee.
"We are appreciative of the assistance from our foreign police counterparts and will spare no effort to bring to justice, criminals who commit crimes in Singapore and flee our borders thereafter."
