17-7-2024 (SINGAPORE) Zhang Ruijin, a 45-year-old Chinese national implicated in one of Singapore’s most significant money laundering cases, has been expelled from Cambodia merely a month after his arrival in the country. This development comes on the heels of his deportation from Singapore, where he had served a 15-month jail sentence for his role in the high-profile financial crime.
The General Department of Immigration (GDI) of Cambodia announced on Wednesday that Zhang was deported on 16 July, following a swift operation to locate and remove him from the country. The GDI’s action was prompted by instructions from Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sar Sokha, after receiving intelligence about Zhang’s presence in the country.
Zhang had entered Cambodia on 15 June, shortly after his release and subsequent deportation from Singapore. His arrival in Cambodia raised alarm bells, given his recent conviction in a case involving the laundering of approximately S$3 billion (US$2.2 billion).
The Cambodian authorities’ quick response underscores the country’s commitment to international anti-money laundering standards. As a member of the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), Cambodia adheres to recommendations set forth by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global watchdog against financial crimes.
Zhang’s case is part of a larger investigation in Singapore that has seen ten individuals convicted for their involvement in the massive money laundering scheme. The Singaporean authorities have successfully forfeited about S$944 million (US$697 million) in assets related to these convictions, with sentences ranging from 13 to 17 months’ imprisonment for the convicted parties.
Intriguingly, Zhang was one of seven individuals deported to Cambodia following their convictions in Singapore, despite some not holding Cambodian passports. Singapore’s Minister of State for Home Affairs, Sun Xueling, explained that the priority was to effect rapid deportation of the convicted foreigners, with considerations given to the admissibility of these individuals to their chosen destination countries.
The case has raised questions about the complexities of international law enforcement cooperation in financial crimes. While Singapore has taken decisive action in prosecuting and deporting these individuals, the subsequent handling of these cases by receiving countries like Cambodia demonstrates the global nature of the challenge posed by money laundering.
