S'porean 'Ah Long', 49, managed unlicensed moneylending stalls that made up to S$5.2 million, bought S$1.2 million condo

A China-based Singaporean man managed multiple unlicensed moneylending (UML) "stalls" for a transnational crime syndicate, helping them earn an estimated S$3 million to S$5.2 million in profits from August 2005 to June 2019.

Tan Keng Wee, 49, was involved in the scheme from November 2003 to June 2019 and earned over S$1 million of the profits himself.

In 2014, Tan used his profits to purchase a S$1.2 million executive condominium unit in Singapore for his wife, son and mother.

Tan, who pleaded guilty to five counts of involvement in unlawful moneylending activities and one count of dealing with the benefits of his criminal conduct on Jan. 14, 2026, is currently remanded.

According to court documents seen by Mothership, he started as a "runner" being paid S$1,000 a month, working his way up to the "towkay", or boss position.

When the "Tua Towkay", Hokkien for big boss, was arrested in April 2019, Tan gradually ceased all UML activity by June 2019 and went into hiding in Zhong Shan, China.

Eventually, in February 2025, Tan decided to return to Singapore and surrender. He was arrested on Mar. 26, 2025.

Running start

Deputy Public Prosecutor Kamen Chiang stated that Tan started as a "runner" in November 2003 for the group's financier and "Tua Towkay" Ah Ren.

The big boss was responsible for managing the operations of various "Ah Longs".

"On the 'Ah Long’s' instruction, runners would assist to disburse loans to debtors, verify their identities and the identities of their sureties."

Tan was promoted to assistant "Ah Long" in March 2004, a desk-bound role, and his salary increased to S$1,500.

As law enforcement in Singapore intensified, the syndicate relocated to Johor Bahru, Malaysia, in September 2004, and Tan was promoted to "Ah Long", managing the UML named Ah Beng by himself.

At the time, the "stall" named Ah Beng had 80 to 100 debtors and outstanding loans amounting to S$60,000 to S$100,000.

"As an 'Ah Long', the accused would manage the 'stalls' finances, using repayments from existing debtors to issue fresh loans. He also managed a team of runners in Singapore that assisted to collect repayments, disburse loans, and verify debtor identities."

Besides his base salary of S$1,500, he also received 20 per cent of Ah Beng's profits, stated court documents.

Relocated to Bangkok & Shenzhen

Ah Ren moved operations to Bangkok, Thailand, in August 2005, and then to Shenzhen, China, in September 2005, Tan followed each time.

In 2009, the UML syndicate slowed, and Ah Ren increased Tan's salary to S$2,000 and raised his profit share to 30 per cent.

Tan was promoted to "Towkay" shortly after.

Until 2010, Tan used "Commandos" to harass debtors, but stopped as it was difficult to find willing participants.

"On the accused’s instruction, these "Commandos" would splash paint/coffee on debtor’s door, paste harassing notes, lock doors with additional locks, destroy furniture and throw eggs at the unit."

In Shenzhen, Tan and senior members of the syndicate would use two devices and "'Space Cards’ – SIM cards that were registered to other individuals", to communicate with UML employees and debtors in Singapore.

This helped them to reduce expenses and avoid using their own mobile numbers to evade detection.

Each "stall" generally had its own bank account that typically came from debtors who had defaulted on their loans.

Tan "would offer to rent their bank account for approximately $300 per month, which could be used to offset their debt".

Runners were also recruited from a pool of struggling existing debtors.

The syndicate expanded rapidly in Shenzhen, with Tan managing eight different UML stalls by 2019.

1,529 police reports were made against Tan's eight UML "stalls" from 2006 to 2019.

Ah Ren's arrest and Tan's subsequent hiding

Ah Ren was arrested in April 2019 by Chinese Authorities and extradited to Singapore.

Upon learning of Ah Ren's arrest, Tan gave instructions "to prioritise collecting existing loans and not to issue new loans".

By June 2019, Tan had ceased all UML activity.

Tan realised that he was wanted after his passport renewal application was rejected and chose to remain in Zhong Shan, China, between 2019 and 2025 to avoid arrest.

In February 2025, Tan decided to return to Singapore, informed the Singapore Consulate General in China, resolved his overstaying with Chinese authorities and was arrested by Airport Police upon his arrival.

He will be sentenced in February.

Top photo from Canva and Shin Min (for illustrative purposes).