Conned or complicit? Indonesian businessman under probe in Singapore over suspected fake notes at Sentosa casino
SINGAPORE, Sept 19 — An Indonesian businessman is assisting Singapore police with investigations after allegedly u...
An Indonesian businessman, known only as Steven, is under investigation in Singapore for allegedly using 34 counterfeit S$10,000 (approximately S$340,000) banknotes at Resorts World Sentosa's casino in June. According to The Straits Times, Steven exchanged the counterfeit notes for casino chips after they were initially accepted as genuine.
Steven's lawyer, Yosia Ginting, claims that Steven was a victim of fraud and was unaware that the notes were counterfeit. He stated that Steven had received the S$10,000 notes as payment for a property he was selling. The lawyer also mentioned that Steven was introduced to a man named Anthony, who initially gave him one counterfeit note, claiming it was an old banknote.
Steven took the note to Singapore, where it was accepted at a money changer due to its high denomination. Later, at Resorts World Sentosa, a VIP host suggested he change the note at the casino, where it was exchanged for chips. Anthony later gave Steven 33 more counterfeit notes, claiming they were an inheritance from his parents.
Steven was stopped by casino security and police on June 26, along with his family, after returning to Singapore with the seller's daughter to settle a property payment. The six remaining counterfeit notes were used as part-payment for a house in Pamulang, Banten. Steven was questioned at the Police Cantonment Complex and informed he was being investigated for bringing a large amount of cash into Singapore, circulating counterfeit currency, and using counterfeit currency. His passport and mobile phone were taken by the authorities.
South Tangerang police chief Superintendent Boy Jumalolo informed The Straits Times that Indonesian and Singapore police discussed the case during a September 14 meeting, during which they confirmed the 34 counterfeit S$10,000 notes were indeed counterfeit. Indonesian investigators are currently summoning witnesses. Singapore law allows for a jail term of up to 20 years for those convicted of using forged or counterfeit banknotes.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
