Siblings charged with corruption-related offences committed in China involving nearly $2.3 million

Siblings Henry and Judy Teo leaving the State Courts on June 29, 2017. ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW

SINGAPORE - A pair of Singaporean siblings was taken to task in Singapore for corruption-related offences allegedly committed in China involving close to $2.3 million.

The siblings were each charged in court on Thursday (June 29) with 50 counts of corruption-related offences involving about 11.1 million yuan (S$2.26 million).

Judy Teo Suya Bik, now 65, and former Seagate senior director of logistics Teo Chu Ha, alias Henry Teo, now 68, are accused of committing the offences in Shanghai, China, between April 2007 and November 2010.

Judy Teo allegedly obtained the bribes from Shanghai Long-Distance Transportation and Feili International Transport as a reward for helping them secure contracts with Seagate Technology International.

This was allegedly done by providing the two firms with confidential information obtained from her brother.

Henry Teo, who currently owns a Singapore-based company known as Ampro Tools Enterprise, is accused of abetting his sister by engaging in a conspiracy with her to obtain the bribes.

The siblings are also accused of one count each of an offence under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act.

In 2012, Henry Teo allegedly used $703,480 - benefits of his sister's purported criminal conduct- to buy in her name, a unit on the fourth storey of Summerhill condominium in Hume Avenue near Upper Bukit Timah Road.

Judy Teo is accused of abetting the offence by instigating him to use the money to buy the property.

The siblings were not represented by a lawyer and told the court that they intend to engage one and claim trial.

They are out on bail and will be back in court on July 13. The bail amount was not mentioned in court.

In a release, Singapore's Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said that Singaporeans who commit corrupt acts overseas can be taken to task by the authorities here under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The agency noted that the Act has provisions for extra-territorial powers over a Singapore citizen.

CPIB also said that it worked with the Chinese authorities in investigating the case and received valuable assistance from them.

It added: "Singapore adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption. The CPIB takes a serious view of any corrupt and criminal practices, and will not hesitate to take action against any party involved in such acts."

Offenders convicted of corruption can be jailed for up to five years and fined up to $100,000 for each charge.

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