SINGAPORE: A shocking case of greed and criminal conspiracy unfolded as a 28-year-old Chinese national was sentenced to seven months in prison on Monday, December 16, for his involvement in a sophisticated burglary syndicate.

Wu Jinxing was found with nearly S$500,000 (approximately US$370,000) worth of luxurious stolen items and cash.

Wu Jinxing's legal troubles began when he pleaded guilty to possessing the benefits of criminal conduct, specifically tied to another individual, Wu Jianxin, who is believed to be a key member of an overseas crime syndicate responsible for a series of burglaries that plagued landed estates in Singapore from June to August of this year.

Prior to his criminal activities, Wu Jinxing led a modest lifestyle, earning merely 200 yuan (about US$27) daily as a food delivery man in Shenzhen, China.

His long-standing acquaintance with Wu Jianxin – whom he had known for 12 years – lured him into the darker side of life.

In a risky move, on July 27, Wu Jianxin contacted Wu Jinxing in the early hours of the morning, enticing him with a lucrative offer of 30,000 yuan to make an immediate trip to Singapore for just one day.

This trip was intended for Wu Jinxing to retrieve stolen goods, which included a luxury handbag and an expensive watch. Cleverly, Wu Jianxin instructed him to book a return flight to Hong Kong instead of Shenzhen, hinting at the illicit nature of the trip.

Upon his arrival in Singapore, Wu Jinxing followed a series of specific and suspicious instructions conveyed via video call.

He purchased a backpack, took a train, and navigated through a bicycle route along the Rail Corridor to retrieve the hidden stash, which included a prestigious orange Hermes Birkin bag worth around S$45,000 and several luxury watches—all believed to be connected to underground dealings in gambling and money exchange.

However, the police were already on high alert.

An earlier investigation had revealed that Wu Jianxin and his accomplice Huang Ziqian had hidden multiple stolen items in the area, waiting for an unsuspecting runner like Wu Jinxing to collect them.

The authorities had set a trap, anticipating the arrival of the men pursuing the stolen goods.

This strategic move led to Wu Jinxing’s apprehension as he approached the perimeter wall near Bukit Sedap Road—just as the police were closing in.

With Wu Jianxin and Huang still at large, the prosecutor emphasized the significant threat posed by their organized criminal activities.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Janessa Phua argued for a heavier sentence of eight to nine months, highlighting Wu Jinxing’s role in facilitating the operations of a transnational syndicate and emphasizing the sophisticated nature of the criminal enterprise.

She pointed out that while Wu Jinxing was laundering someone else’s criminal proceeds, it did not diminish his culpability in this case; rather, it underscored the complexity and reach of the syndicate's operations.

This case sheds light on the intricate networks involved in luxury theft, as well as the lengths people will go to retrieve stolen possessions—all at the risk of heavy penalties.

The law carries a maximum sentence of up to ten years' imprisonment and fines of up to S$500,000 for those found guilty of benefiting from criminal conduct.

Stay tuned for more shocking updates on crime and justice, as we continue to expose the underbelly of these syndicates!