Singaporeans Charged for Corrupt Acts Committed Overseas

Singaporeans who commit corrupt acts overseas can be taken to task by the authorities in Singapore under the Prevention of Corruption Act which has provisions for extra-territorial powers over a Singapore citizen.

2. Two siblings, Judy Teo Suya Bik (Judy Teo) and Teo Chu Ha @ Henry Teo (Henry Teo) were investigated for alleged corruption offences that had taken place in the People’s Republic of China. On 29 June 2017, Judy Teo and Henry Teo will be charged in court for offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act.

3. Judy Teo, a Singaporean, will be charged for the following offences:

i. 50 counts of corruptly obtaining gratification amounting to CNY 11,108,025.44 from Shanghai Long-Distance Transportation Co. (SLT) and Feili International Transport Co., Ltd (Feili) (from April 2007 to November 2010) as a reward for assisting the two companies in securing contracts with Seagate Technology International (Seagate). This was done by providing to SLT and Feili, confidential information obtained from one Teo Chu Ha @ Henry Teo, Senior Director of Logistics at Seagate. These are offences punishable under section 5(a)(i) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241. Judy is alleged to have committed these offences in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.

ii. One count of abetment in 2012 by instigating one Teo Chu Ha @ Henry Teo to use her benefits of criminal conduct (a sum of S$703,480) to purchase a condominium unit on her behalf, an offence under section 44(1)(b)(ii) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, Chapter 65A, punishable under section 44(5)(a) of the same Act read with section 109 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224.

4. Henry Teo, a Singaporean, was formerly the Senior Director of Logistics at Seagate Technology International. He will be charged for the following offences:

i. 50 counts of abetting the commission of an offence by engaging in a conspiracy with Judy Teo, to corruptly obtain for herself gratification amounting to CNY 11,108,025.44 from SLT and Feili from April 2007 to November 2010. This is an inducement to assist the said companies in securing contracts with Seagate, by providing Judy Teo with confidential information which was meant to be communicated to SLT and Feili. These are offences under section 5(a)(i) read with section 29(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Chapter 241. Henry Teo is alleged to have committed these offences in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.

ii. One count of being involved in an arrangement whereby Judy Teo’s benefits from criminal conduct (a sum of S$703,480), was used for the said Judy Teo’s benefit to acquire a condominium unit under her name. This is an offence under section 44(1)(b)(ii) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, Chapter 65A, punishable under section 44(5)(a) of the same Act.

5. Singapore has in place a framework for international cooperation with overseas legal, law enforcement and regulatory agencies. In the course of investigating this case, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) had worked with the Chinese authorities and received valuable assistance from them.

Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau