Singapore probes Indonesian man over fake S$10,000 notes at Resorts World Casino
The businessman denies knowing the notes were counterfeit, while police in Singapore and Indonesia investigate their source and circulation.
Singapore.- An Indonesian businessman is being investigated over 34 counterfeit S$10,000 notes allegedly used to obtain chips at Resorts World Sentosa’s casino in June. The notes had a combined face value of S$340,000 (US$266,663) and were allegedly presented during three visits.
The businessman, identified as Steven, has denied knowing that the banknotes were counterfeit. His lawyer, Yosia Ginting, told The Straits Times that Steven was given the currency as part of a property transaction in Indonesia and was himself deceived.
According to Ginting, Steven received the first S$10,000 note on June 8 from a man named Anthony, whom he had met through a friend identified as Rangga. The payment was reportedly connected to the sale of a shophouse in South Tangerang, near Jakarta.
Steven took the note to Singapore the following day, but a money changer declined it because of its high denomination. He later went to Resorts World Sentosa, where a VIP host allegedly directed him to exchange the note at the casino. The note was accepted and converted into chips. Anthony allegedly gave Steven a further 33 S$10,000 notes on June 11, saying they came from his parents’ inheritance and needed to be exchanged for smaller denominations in Singapore. Steven later brought 27 of those notes to the casino. The remaining six were left in Indonesia and were reportedly used as part-payment for a house in Pamulang, Banten.
The investigation came to light after Steven returned to Singapore on June 26 with his family and the seller’s daughter for a separate property transaction. He was stopped by casino security and police, who allegedly told him that serial numbers on some of the six remaining notes matched those of banknotes he had previously exchanged.
Steven was questioned by police and surrendered his passport and mobile phone. He is being investigated over the alleged use and circulation of counterfeit currency, as well as possible breaches of Singapore’s cash declaration rules. A conviction for using counterfeit currency in Singapore can result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
Indonesian police have also opened their own investigation into the matter. South Tangerang police chief Boy Jumalolo said the case was discussed with Singapore police on September 14, with Indonesian authorities asking their Singaporean counterparts to formally verify that the 34 seized S$10,000 notes are counterfeit. Boy said Indonesian police had so far received only a seizure receipt describing the notes as “believed to be non-genuine.” Officers are now interviewing witnesses as they investigate the source of the banknotes.
The S$10,000 note was withdrawn from issuance in Singapore in 2014. The Monetary Authority of Singapore said the move was aimed at addressing money-laundering and terrorism-financing risks associated with high-denomination currency.
