On Saturday a 54-year-old man from Singapore was charged with possession and use of counterfeit casino chips.
Toh Hock Thiam was arrested on December 31 in Malaysia by the Singapore Police Force. Toh is believed to lead a syndicate that is responsible for counterfeit casino chips in Singapore, according to a news release on Friday by the Singapore Police Force. The Royal Malaysia Police and the Macau Judiciary Police aided in Toh’s arrest after a warrant was issued by the State Courts in Singapore. Penalties including up to seven years in jail and/or a fine up to $150,000 could be imposed on Toh should he be convicted.
Probes into a case at the Marina Bay Sands casino of suspected counterfeit chips had begun towards the end of November 2015 by officers from the Casino Crime Investigation Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department, according to the Singapore police Force. During the course of investigations, cash and mobile phones were seized as case exhibits, in addition to the more than $1 million worth of counterfeit casino chips.
Tan Chye Hee, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations & Intelligence) and director of the Criminal Investigation Department said, “The arrest of this syndicate leader bears testament to the excellent relationships forged between the Singapore Police Force and the RMP and MJP.” Tan added, “We are appreciative of the assistance from our foreign police counterparts and will spare no effort to bring to justice, criminals who commit crimes in Singapore and flee our borders thereafter,” according to The Straits Times/Asia news Network.