52 S'poreans arrested & detained in China for suspected pyramid scheme activities & related offences

Singaporean authorities have announced the arrest of 52 Singaporeans in Guangxi, China, on September 4, 2026, as part of a crackdown on suspected pyramid scheme activities and related offences. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) confirmed the arrests, noting that they were informed by Chinese authorities. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has liaised with their Chinese counterparts to gather more information regarding the cases.

Consular visits have been conducted to all 52 arrested Singaporeans to ensure their well-being and provide necessary consular assistance. MFA has also been in contact with their next-of-kin throughout the process. The Singapore government maintains that it does not interfere in foreign judicial systems, and foreign governments are expected to respect Singapore's laws and legal processes.

The MFA emphasized that Singaporeans travelling or residing overseas are subject to the laws of the countries they are in and advised them to exercise caution when invited to participate in schemes involving recruitment or upfront payments of substantial sums of money. Singapore's Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sim Ann, stated that MFA officers are in touch with the affected families and are doing their best to support them during this challenging time.

The Singapore government reiterated that it does not interfere in the judicial process of other countries and expects foreign governments to respect Singapore's laws and legal procedures. The pyramid scheme activities involved in this case have been ongoing in China since at least 1998, with the "1040 Sunshine Project" originating from Guangxi. The scam has reportedly spread to Southeast Asia, using tactics such as promising exclusive investment opportunities and isolating participants from friends and family.

China has been actively investigating pyramid schemes and direct selling violations since 2021, with over 200,000 cases reported between 2021 and 2025. In June 2025, China revised its public security laws, allowing police to issue fines and short detentions for participants in pyramid schemes, a move that was effective from January 2026.