On 20 November 2024, the High Court granted a confiscation order against a 68-year-old Singaporean man Lean Kay Cheong (Lean) for the sum of approximately S$4.12 million.
Lean had been arrested on 27 November 2016 along with over 40 other persons in an operation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) against an OCG that provided remote gambling services facilitating lottery and horse betting since 2007.
Police investigations revealed that Lean was a shareholder and a leader of the OCG, engaging a master agent, agents and a runner to collect and disburse funds to their respective pool of punters. The illegal business was syndicated and also linked to operatives working in Malaysia.
On 19 April 2021, Lean was sentenced to an imprisonment term of 6 years’ and 36 months’ and a fine of S$447,000 after he was convicted under the Remote Gambling Act 2014 and the Organised Crime Act 2015.
Following his conviction, the Police sought a confiscation and realisation order against Lean who was found to have accumulated unexplained wealth through his illegal activities over the years, which includes his investments, insurance policies and commercial/residential properties. This amount was disproportionate to his known sources of income. The Public Prosecutor applied for the confiscation and realisation order, which was granted by the High Court on 20 November 2024, and Lean was ordered to pay a total sum of approximately S$4.12 million to the State.
Under Section 7(1) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992, any person who is convicted of a serious offence is subjected to have the benefits derived by him from criminal conduct confiscated.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
10 December 2024 @ 1:00 PM