Foreign man caught with over S$1.3 million in under-declared cash at S'pore checkpoint

A 49-year-old male foreigner was caught moving under-declared currencies worth more than S$1.3 million into Singapore on Nov. 27.

He was found to have provided an inaccurate report on the cross-border movement of cash or Bearer Negotiable Instruments (CBNIs) by under-declaring the amount, and investigations are ongoing.

The man was caught during multi-agency enforcement operations across land, sea, and air checkpoints from Nov. 25 to 29, 2024.

The operations, which involved officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Customs, and Health Sciences Authority (HSA), are part of continued efforts to detect non-compliance with Singapore’s laws on cross-border activities.

Seven other travellers caught with undeclared cash

In a joint news release on Dec. 4, the government agencies said authorities conducted enhanced checks on more than 8,100 identified travellers and 950 vehicles.

More than 14,000 luggage and hand-carry bags were also scanned or searched.

Over the five days, seven other travellers were caught with undeclared cash.

Three foreign travellers — two men and a woman between the ages of 53 and 74 — were separately found to have brought cash of various currencies between S$23,000 and S$38,000 into Singapore without declaration on Nov. 25.

A day later, a 43-year-old foreign man was found moving undeclared cash of various currencies amounting to more than S$22,000 into the country.

Another three foreign men, aged 35 to 74, were found with various undeclared currencies on Nov. 28, with the amount ranging between between S$21,000 and S$38,400.

Three were issued composition sums totalling up to S$12,000, while the other four were issued Notices of Warning.

"The smuggling of cash across territorial borders is a known way criminals launder proceeds of crime," said the Director of the SPF Commercial Affairs Department, David Chew.

"To address the money-laundering risks posed by undeclared cross-border movements of cash, the composition penalties [under Singapore's Cross-Border Cash Reporting Regime (CBCRR)] have also been increased threefold for stronger deterrence," Chew added.

Though there are no restrictions on the amount of cash or Bearer Negotiable Instruments that can be moved into or out of Singapore, individuals are required to declare the amount if the total value exceeds S$20,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency.

They are required to submit a declaration electronically within 72 hours before entering or leaving Singapore via the ICA app or website.

Those who fail to declare, or who under-declare cash exceeding S$20,000 are liable to a maximum fine of S$50,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both.

Other offences

Another 51 travellers were caught failing to declare and pay taxes, with the total duty and GST evaded exceeding S$2,300 and composite sums amounting to over S$17,000 imposed.

Items not declared included dutiable cigarettes or tobacco products; liquors exceeding their duty-free allowance; or items exceeding their Goods and Services Tax (GST) import relief allowances, including souvenirs, gifts, and food.

12 travellers were also detected with e-vaporisers and smokeless tobacco during the operations.

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Top image via SPF