Post by : Rohit Dhiman

Six Malaysian men have pleaded guilty to their involvement in one of Singapore's highest-value reported robberies after a gang targeted a private home in King Albert Park during a high-stakes poker game. The group was involved in a carefully planned Singapore gang robbery in April 2024, when seven men entered the property during the early hours of the morning. The attackers were armed and used restraints to control people inside the house before taking cash, valuables and cryptocurrency. The total value of property stolen was estimated at around S$4.9 million, equivalent to approximately US$3.9 million. One of the seven men remains at large and is believed to have travelled from Malaysia to Thailand, according to court documents.

How the Robbery Was Planned

The case began several months before the actual robbery. In November 2023, Wong Chi Shan and Goh Boon Tong learned that high-stakes poker games were regularly being held at the King Albert Park residence. The games involved very large amounts of money, with stakes reaching several hundred thousand dollars. Some payments were reportedly settled using cryptocurrency. Wong and Goh later visited the property and observed the security arrangements. They noticed that the gate was sometimes open and that the main wooden door remained unlocked while the poker games were taking place. Several months later, Wong proposed robbing the residence. However, the two men believed they needed additional people to carry out the operation.

Security Contractor Recruited Additional Men

Goh approached Mohd Hamidon Ahmed, whom he had previously met at an event where Hamidon provided private security services. Hamidon operated a private security company and was also involved in debt collection services. According to court documents, Wong and Goh discussed the proposed robbery with him and agreed that he would recruit additional men. Hamidon's team was promised RM1.5 million, equivalent to about S$467,000, for participating in the operation. The money was to be divided among the people involved. Hamidon initially received RM10,000 as a deposit before recruiting others. Those approached were not given full details of the plan at first, but they understood that the activity was illegal.

First Attempt Did Not Go Ahead

The robbery was originally planned for April 15, 2024. Wong travelled into Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint and checked into a hotel. A poker game was taking place at the targeted residence, but Hamidon's team was not ready to proceed.

As a result, the first attempt was abandoned.

The following day, Wong and Goh drove past the house again. No poker game was taking place, so they instructed the other members of the group to remain in Johor Bahru. On April 17, however, another poker game was underway. Wong and Goh then arranged to meet Hamidon and his team in Singapore.

Armed Group Enters the House

Hamidon and his team entered Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint at around 10.45pm on April 17. The group later met Wong and Goh at a car park in Geylang. They were shown photographs of the target residence and briefed about how they would enter the property. Machetes and baseball bats were placed inside Hamidon's vehicle. Before 2.05am on April 18, the seven men travelled to the King Albert Park residence and parked nearby. Three members of the group carried machetes, while two others carried baseball bats. They entered through the unlocked gate and main door while the poker game was still taking place.

Victims Tied Up During Robbery

Several people were inside the residence, including a Chinese woman who was hosting the poker game, her husband, a Korean card dealer and a masseuse. The robbers first encountered a man near the main entrance after he had left a toilet. A machete was pointed at him, and his mouth, wrists and ankles were restrained with tape before he was ordered to remain in the toilet. The group then moved into the living room and ordered the people present to raise their hands and put their mobile phones on a table. The victims were restrained while the attackers searched the property for money and other valuables. The incident became particularly significant because the robbers discovered that cryptocurrency was stored in applications on the hostess's phone.

Cryptocurrency and Cash Stolen

Wong and Goh checked the phones belonging to the victims and found substantial cryptocurrency holdings in the hostess's applications. The robbers transferred cryptocurrency to a digital wallet under their control. They also removed cash from a safe located in the living room and searched the bedroom for additional valuables. The combined value of the stolen assets was estimated at approximately S$4.9 million. The case is notable not only because of the large amount involved but also because it included cryptocurrency alongside physical cash and other valuables, making it a significant cryptocurrency robbery case in Singapore.

Escape Across Singapore-Malaysia Border

After completing the robbery, the seven men left the property and travelled in vehicles as part of a prearranged escape plan. Wong and Goh travelled separately from the rest of the group. Their vehicle left Singapore through Tuas Checkpoint at around 2.15am. The other members used Woodlands Checkpoint at approximately 2.40am in a second vehicle.

The group had planned to regroup in Kuala Lumpur.

The attackers also discarded the weapons and clothing associated with the robbery during their journey, according to the prosecution's case. The victims eventually managed to free themselves and contacted police. They suffered minor injuries as a result of being restrained.

Only Part of the Loot Recovered

Despite the arrests and subsequent investigation, authorities were unable to recover the entire amount stolen. The Singapore Police Force recovered approximately S$1.69 million of the stolen property. Around S$3.21 million remained unrecovered, according to lead prosecutor Dillon Kok. The large amount that remains missing has added to the significance of the case and the prosecution's assessment of the seriousness of the offences. The incident has been described in court as one of Singapore's highest-value robberies in nominal terms.

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Prosecution Seeks Long Prison Terms

The six men who pleaded guilty are Wong Chi Shan, 35; Goh Boon Tong, 30; Mohd Hamidon Ahmed, 49; Kartik Palaniappan, 34; Mohd Hashim Ismail, 51; and Muhammad Tauffiq Ahmad Fauzi, 34. They admitted to various offences, including armed gang robbery. Wong and Goh were considered to have played the most significant roles in planning and organising the crime. They also pleaded guilty to separate charges connected with sex work involving Japanese women. Prosecutors sought prison sentences ranging from seven years and eight months to 13 years and one month, depending on each person's role and level of responsibility. The prosecution also sought caning of up to 24 strokes. Sentencing was expected later on September 14. Singapore Law Provides Severe Punishment Singapore imposes substantial penalties for armed gang robbery. 

Lawyers Representing the Accused

The six men were represented by different defence lawyers during the proceedings. Wong was represented by Don Tan, while Goh was represented by Thangavelu. James Gomez Jovan Messiah represented Kartik Palaniappan. Mohd Hashim Ismail was represented by Ariffin Sha, while Estelle Tan represented Muhammad Tauffiq Ahmad Fauzi. S S Dhillon acted for Mohd Hamidon Ahmed. The court will determine the final sentences after considering the guilty pleas, individual roles and other relevant circumstances.

What happened in the King Albert Park robbery?

Seven men entered a King Albert Park home in April 2024 during a high-stakes poker game. The group restrained people inside and stole about S$4.9 million in cash, valuables and cryptocurrency.

How much money was recovered?

Authorities recovered approximately S$1.69 million of the stolen assets, while about S$3.21 million remained unrecovered.

Who pleaded guilty?

Six Malaysian men pleaded guilty to charges connected to the robbery: Wong Chi Shan, Goh Boon Tong, Mohd Hamidon Ahmed, Kartik Palaniappan, Mohd Hashim Ismail and Muhammad Tauffiq Ahmad Fauzi.

Where did the robbery happen?

The robbery took place at a private residence in King Albert Park, Singapore, during a high-stakes poker game in the early hours of April 18, 2024.

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