A 28-year-old man, Wu Jinxing, has been sentenced to seven months in jail after being caught with nearly S$500,000 worth of stolen luxury goods and cash in Singapore. Wu Jinxing, a Chinese national, admitted to possessing the benefits of criminal conduct by Wu Jianxin, with whom he had a longstanding acquaintance. The court revealed that Wu Jinxing was enticed into flying to Singapore for a day to collect stolen items on behalf of Wu Jianxin and his accomplice Huang Ziqian. Upon arrival, Wu Jinxing was instructed to retrieve a luxury handbag and watch hidden in a secluded area near Bukit Sedap Road.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Janessa Phua highlighted Wu Jinxing’s awareness of the illegal nature of the task, stating, “He knew he was being offered a significant amount of money because the trip involved illegal activity.” Following Wu Jianxin’s directions via video call, Wu Jinxing successfully located the hidden loot, including an orange Hermes Birkin bag valued at around S$45,000, luxury watches, and various currencies. Despite suspecting the items were linked to illegal activities like gambling or moneylending, Wu Jinxing proceeded to check into a hotel in Geylang post retrieving the loot.
The authorities apprehended Wu Jinxing as he attempted to retrieve more stolen goods hidden by Wu Jianxin and Huang. Wu Jianxin and Huang are reported to be at large. Ms. Phua sought a heavier sentence for Wu Jinxing due to the substantial criminal proceeds involved and the facilitation of transnational criminal activities. She emphasized the sophistication of the criminal enterprise involving instructing individuals like Wu Jinxing to collect hidden loot for the syndicate’s benefit. While Wu Jinxing was sentenced to seven months in jail, the prosecutor highlighted that he was less culpable as he was laundering someone else’s criminal proceeds.
The prosecution considered the possibility of a 10-year jail term, a fine of up to S$500,000, or both for benefiting from criminal conduct. Wu Jinxing was ultimately found guilty of aiding a foreign syndicate in their housebreaking operations and collecting stolen goods in Singapore.
