SINGAPORE: The couple at the centre of an alleged multi-million-dollar luxury goods scam were charged in court on Friday (Aug 12).
This followed their arrest in Malaysia and handover to Singapore police on Thursday, more than five weeks after going on the run.
Singaporean Pi Jiapeng, 26, and Thai national Siriwipa Pansuk, 27, each face three charges.
Two of the charges are for conspiracy to cheat.
Pi and Pansuk are accused of cheating customers of Tradenation between May 28, 2021 and Jun 27 this year by deceiving them into paying for luxury watches that they did not intend to deliver.
They are also accused of cheating customers of Tradeluxury between Jan 15 and Jun 27 by deceiving them into paying for luxury handbags that they did not intend to deliver.
The remaining charge is for illegally leaving Singapore via Tuas Checkpoint at about 7.25pm on Jul 4.
The pair appeared in a district court via video-link from remand. Pi was dressed in a green shirt, while Pansuk wore a black dress.
When the judge asked if they had anything to say, Pi said it was "not right" for them to have fled the country.
"It's due to the pressure that we face during that point of time. Me and my wife are facing a lot of death threats and pressure.
"It is our mistake to take that decision and we are really very sorry about the trouble," he said.
Through a Thai interpreter, Pansuk said: "I know that I have done something wrong. I will cooperate with the police for the investigation."
The judge granted the prosecution's request for the pair not to be offered bail as they were "proven" flight risks, and to be remanded for further investigations.
They will return to court next week.
Pi and Pansuk were associated with two companies, Tradenation and Tradeluxury.
Police have received at least 180 reports from complainants saying that they made advance payments to the companies for luxury watches or bags, but did not receive the products.
While some media reports said the total value of the undelivered luxury goods was S$32 million, CNA understands that victims who made police reports have not received products worth at least S$20 million as of Jul 17.
Pi was first arrested in June on suspicion of cheating. His passport was impounded and he was released on bail. Pansuk also surrendered her passport to the police and was assisting with investigations.
The couple subsequently became uncontactable and fled Singapore via Tuas Checkpoint on Jul 4. They hid in the container compartment of a Malaysia-registered lorry.
Two men charged with helping the couple flee Singapore - Malaysians Mohamad Fazli Abdul Rahman, 38, and Mohamed Alias, 40 - have said that they intend to plead guilty.
After Pi and Pansuk fled, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) issued a warrant of arrest for them and both were also listed on Interpol's red notice website.
SPF received information from the Royal Thai Police on Wednesday that the pair may be staying in a hotel in Johor Bahru, and sought assistance from the Royal Malaysia Police to locate them.
Pi and Pansuk were arrested on Thursday and handed over to SPF at Woodlands Checkpoint in the evening.
The punishment for cheating is jail for up to 10 years and a fine.
The penalty for leaving Singapore without presenting a passport is up to six months' jail and a fine of up to S$1,000.
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This followed their arrest in Malaysia and handover to Singapore police on Thursday, more than five weeks after going on the run.
Singaporean Pi Jiapeng, 26, and Thai national Siriwipa Pansuk, 27, each face three charges.
Two of the charges are for conspiracy to cheat.
Pi and Pansuk are accused of cheating customers of Tradenation between May 28, 2021 and Jun 27 this year by deceiving them into paying for luxury watches that they did not intend to deliver.
They are also accused of cheating customers of Tradeluxury between Jan 15 and Jun 27 by deceiving them into paying for luxury handbags that they did not intend to deliver.
The remaining charge is for illegally leaving Singapore via Tuas Checkpoint at about 7.25pm on Jul 4.
The pair appeared in a district court via video-link from remand. Pi was dressed in a green shirt, while Pansuk wore a black dress.
When the judge asked if they had anything to say, Pi said it was "not right" for them to have fled the country.
"It's due to the pressure that we face during that point of time. Me and my wife are facing a lot of death threats and pressure.
"It is our mistake to take that decision and we are really very sorry about the trouble," he said.
Through a Thai interpreter, Pansuk said: "I know that I have done something wrong. I will cooperate with the police for the investigation."
The judge granted the prosecution's request for the pair not to be offered bail as they were "proven" flight risks, and to be remanded for further investigations.
They will return to court next week.
Related:
Pi and Pansuk were associated with two companies, Tradenation and Tradeluxury.
Police have received at least 180 reports from complainants saying that they made advance payments to the companies for luxury watches or bags, but did not receive the products.
While some media reports said the total value of the undelivered luxury goods was S$32 million, CNA understands that victims who made police reports have not received products worth at least S$20 million as of Jul 17.
Pi was first arrested in June on suspicion of cheating. His passport was impounded and he was released on bail. Pansuk also surrendered her passport to the police and was assisting with investigations.
The couple subsequently became uncontactable and fled Singapore via Tuas Checkpoint on Jul 4. They hid in the container compartment of a Malaysia-registered lorry.
Two men charged with helping the couple flee Singapore - Malaysians Mohamad Fazli Abdul Rahman, 38, and Mohamed Alias, 40 - have said that they intend to plead guilty.
After Pi and Pansuk fled, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) issued a warrant of arrest for them and both were also listed on Interpol's red notice website.
SPF received information from the Royal Thai Police on Wednesday that the pair may be staying in a hotel in Johor Bahru, and sought assistance from the Royal Malaysia Police to locate them.
Pi and Pansuk were arrested on Thursday and handed over to SPF at Woodlands Checkpoint in the evening.
The punishment for cheating is jail for up to 10 years and a fine.
The penalty for leaving Singapore without presenting a passport is up to six months' jail and a fine of up to S$1,000.
Related:
Continue reading...