Two good class bungalows linked to $2.8b money laundering probe vacated

A good class bungalow (GCB) in Nassim Road (left) previously rented by alleged money laundering offender Su Baolin, and movers at Vang Shuiming's GCB in Bishopsgate on Oct 18. ST PHOTOS: ZAIHAN MOHAMED YUSOF

SINGAPORE – A large landed property near Orchard Road, which was previously leased to alleged money laundering offender Su Baolin, is back on the market at $120,000 a month.

The good class bungalow (GCB) in Nassim Road was advertised for rent on Oct 16. The hilltop five-bedroom, five-bathroom residence sits on 15,000 sq ft of land, and features a swimming pool that snakes through most of the second floor.

Su Baolin, 41, a Cambodian national, was one of the 10 foreigners arrested on Aug 15 in a Commercial Affairs Department-led anti-money laundering operation that involved about 400 officers. The accused are all originally from China.

The Straits Times understands that Su’s family has left the property, which is less than 500m from the Shangri-La Singapore hotel. However, a red Ferrari and several Japanese multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) were still parked there as at Monday.

Those interested in renting the property will need to agree to a two-year contract with a two-month security deposit. GCBs in the area typically cost around $50 million.

The good class bungalow in Nassim Road was advertised for rent on Oct 16. ST PHOTO: ZAIHAN MOHAMED YUSOF

A property agent familiar with the house said she is aware that the GCB was previously occupied by someone linked to the $2.8 billion money laundering case.

The agent said the owner of the property did not inform her of any restrictions in renting out the home.

She said: “(The owner) is an investor-owner. He is not living there, so definitely he would want to rent (the house) out.”

But so far, no one has expressed interest in viewing the house, said the agent, adding that the current property market is “a bit quiet”.

She said she was not involved when the property was leased to Su – who faces two forgery charges – and his wife Ma Ning.

Ma Ning also lives in Gramercy Park, a condominium in Grange Road, the registered address of Su Haijin, another of the individuals arrested in the operation.

Meanwhile, the GCB that Su Haijin rented has also been vacated. The 32,000 sq ft property in Ewart Park was dubbed “KTV Central” by neighbours when the 40-year-old moved in around July 2021.

The good class bungalow at Ewart Park was dubbed “KTV Central” by neighbours when Su Haijin moved in around July 2021. ST PHOTO: ZAIHAN MOHAMED YUSOF

The Cypriot national and his wife Wu Qin, whom he married on Valentine’s Day in 2019, often held parties at the house. The family had hired a number of domestic workers and two chefs from China.

An Indonesian maid, working for a family living in the same street, said the family moved out about two weeks ago.

“Before his arrest, he had visitors to the home almost every day,” said the domestic worker.

Su Haijin faces two charges – one for evading arrest, and another for possessing money from criminal offences.

Su Haijin and his wife often held parties at the good class bungalow in Ewart Park. PHOTOS: WECHAT, ST FILE

Checks at the property showed a white Rolls-Royce and two Japanese MPVs – all with their licence plates covered with black tape – on the grounds. A third Japanese MPV was parked near the basement.

ST had spotted lorries moving items from the Ewart Park home to the Gramercy Park condominium over several days in September. The mover declined to comment.

A property report dated October 2021 showed the GCB previously commanded a rent of $100,000 a month.

Movers were also seen at another GCB in Bishopsgate, near Orchard Road. Last Wednesday, ST saw items being removed from the 17,100 sq ft property, which was leased in 2020 for $150,000 a month.

On Oct 18, The Straits Times saw items being removed from Vang Shuiming’s GCB in Bishopsgate. ST PHOTO: ZAIHAN MOHAMED YUSOF

Vang Shuiming, who is also known as Wang Shuiming, had lived in the property with his wife Wang Ruiyan.

The items, which included one pallet of about 50 bottles of Macallan 25 Years Sherry Oak whisky, were loaded into an air-conditioned truck. Each bottle of the whisky costs between $4,000 and $5,000.

The truck, which was escorted by a car, then travelled to Le Freeport Singapore, a high-security storage facility in Changi North Crescent, touted as the safest area in Singapore for wealth protection.

A car was seen escorting the truck that travelled to Le Freeport Singapore. ST PHOTO: ZAIHAN MOHAMED YUSOF

The wealthy are known to store fine art, precious gems, and gold and silver there. According to Le Freeport’s website, its operations are conducted under the strict supervision of various government agencies.

Shin Min Daily News had reported last Friday that a number of other assets, including a Rolls-Royce and a Bentley, were also transported from the Bishopsgate house.

Plain-clothes police officers were seen entering the house to conduct investigations. They remained there for about four hours.

Wang Ruiyan and two children were chauffeured to the house in a luxury vehicle while the police were there.

A 70-year-old man, who identified himself as Vang’s father, later stepped out of the property and said: “I’m very worried, but life still has to go on.”

The report noted that Vang’s family still lives in the house. His son and daughter are studying at international schools here and are tutored by a teacher who goes to the house.

Vang, a 42-year-old Turkish national, faces five charges – one for using a forged document, and the rest related to money laundering.

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Ms Christine Yu, a real estate agent for luxury homes, said there were fewer inquiries about GCBs from Chinese nationals compared with before August 2023.

“The market momentum has slowed down quite significantly. Landlords are also more realistic” about the rental pricing and more willing to negotiate, she added.

Mr Tony Fong, who is marketing a rental property in Ewart Park, said news of the money laundering probe has affected rentals and sales in the area.

He said: “The super-rich don’t want to be associated with unwanted popularity... They want (to be) low-key and low-profile.”

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