Singapore Police Expose Alleged Counterfeit Currency Plot at Marina Bay Sands

Officers were called after a man tried to place funds into his casino account through a cage cashier

Singapore police have charged a 33-year-old Chinese man and a 25-year-old Chinese woman over an alleged plan to counterfeit Singapore currency notes after a failed deposit at Marina Bay Sands Casino on Aug. 24. 

According to the Singapore Police Force, officers were called at about 3.50am after the man tried to place S$150,000 ($118,147) into his casino account through a cage cashier. 

While counting the cash, the cashier found one S$100 note printed with the word “COPY” and alerted police. The pair were later charged on Aug. 26 with “engaging in a conspiracy to counterfeit Singapore currency notes”.

Hotel Room Search

Police escorted the man to his hotel room, where they saw the woman leave with a printer, according to the force’s statement. 

A search of the room and the woman’s possession uncovered 121 more counterfeit S$100 notes, plus ink, paper and a paper cutter. These items were seized as case exhibits. 

Penalty Exposure

The police said offences involving forging or counterfeiting currency can carry prison terms of up to 20 years and fines, while possessing counterfeit notes can bring up to 15 years. 

The force also reminded the public to call “999” immediately if they receive suspected fake notes and to limit handling by placing them in an envelope or folded paper before handing them to police. 

Investigations are ongoing, and court proceedings are under way.

Marina Bay Sands was recently handed a penalty for a data breach that exposed the personal information of more than 665,000 patrons.