2 men caught under-declaring $1.2 million in cash at Changi Airport

Two foreign male cash couriers, aged 39 and 53, were found to have moved into Singapore an assortment of currency notes amounting to $1.2 million, of which $120,000 were under-declared.

This was during a multi-agency enforcement operation at Changi Airport on Nov 16 conducted by officers from the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD), the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Customs.

The enforcement operation is part of a series of operations conducted at the various immigration checkpoints since September.

Two other male foreigners, aged 37 and 48, were separately found to have moved into Singapore an assortment of currency notes amounting to more than $20,000 without declaration.

While there are no restrictions on the amount of cash that can be moved into or out of Singapore, it is a statutory requirement to report it if the total value exceeds $20,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency.

Failure to make an accurate report is an offence, which carries a fine not exceeding S$50,000 or to an imprisonment term of up to three years, or both.

Ten other travellers were found to have failed to declare and pay taxes on dutiable tobacco products, liquors in excess of their duty-free allowance or new articles, souvenirs, gifts and food items exceeding their Goods and Services Tax import relief allowance.

Investigations are ongoing