15-11-2023 (SINGAPORE) Bryan Woo Kah Hou, a 26-year-old Malaysian working as a money courier, has been fined S$30,000 for failing to declare about S$3 million during two separate trips to Singapore. Woo, employed at the currency-exchange company Million Serenity in Sarawak, Malaysia, was tasked with bringing customers’ money to Singapore for currency exchange. Singapore mandates that any individual moving over S$20,000 into or out of the country must submit a declaration.
Woo’s offenses came to light when he stayed with his wife in Brunei, collecting money to courier to Singapore. His wife, Michelle Lu, also associated with Million Serenity, consulted her father on the declaration amount. Woo then inaccurately declared sums of B$428,000 and S$30,000, although he was carrying over S$1 million.
During a subsequent trip, Woo attempted to under-declare again, stating B$1,827,068 and S$135,000 instead of the actual B$1,953,818 and S$25,235. Customs officers noticed the discrepancies, and the matter was referred to the police.
Deputy Public Prosecutor David Koh sought a fine of S$15,000 for each charge, emphasizing the importance of accurate declarations to prevent exploitation of Singapore’s financial system. Woo could have faced up to three years in jail or a maximum fine of S$50,000 for each charge under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking, and Other Serious Crimes Act.
