Singaporean Kwek Kee Seng, who had a USD 5 million bounty offered by the US government on his whereabouts, was sentenced to 30 months’ jail and fined SGD 80,000 for his involvement in the shipment of gasoil, a prohibited export item, to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

According to The Straits Times on Tuesday (7 April), Kwek pleaded guilty to three counts of flouting UN sanctions, one count for receiving the criminal benefits and another for obstructing the course of justice. 

Kwek was involved in a 2019 scheme to supply more than 12,000 metric tonnes (mt) of gas oil to North Korea, despite knowing such transactions were prohibited under international sanctions. In total, the fuel shipments were worth about USD 6.9 million.

The court heard that Kwek played a key role, helping Taiwanese parties arrange vessels, source the oil supplier and coordinate ship-to-ship transfers. He also relayed instructions to ship captains and reviewed reports prepared by them, all while operating remotely.

He used his companies, including Swanseas Port Services and Anfasar Trading, to facilitate payments and logistics linked to the operation. 

The scheme eventually drew international attention with the FBI offering a USD 5 million reward for information on Kwek in 2021. 

In sentencing, the court said Kwek played a “significant” coordinating role, linking multiple parties involved in the illicit network, even though he was not the mastermind.

Related: US government offers USD 5 million reward for Singaporean over DPRK petroleum dealings
Related: Singaporean, accomplice and three related firms charged over DPRK gasoil shipment
Related: OFAC adds Singaporean, local firms in sanctions list over DPRK petroleum dealings

Photo credit: U.S. Department of State
Published: 9 April, 2026

The founder of collapsed oil trading company Hin Leong Trading, Lim Oon Kuin, was taken into custody at Gleneagles Hospital in Singapore to begin his 13.5-years prison sentence, according to CNA on Thursday (2 April). 

Lim, widely known as OK Lim, 84, had been due to surrender at the State Courts on 1 April, but was hospitalised three days earlier after experiencing breathing difficulties.

His son told The Straits Times that the family found Lim disoriented and was struggling to breathe at home, and doctors are still conducting tests to determine the cause. 

His counsel successfully applied to defer the start of his sentence, with bail extended until 3pm on 2 April.

However, Lim did not appear at Singapore’s State Courts on the day. As he was not discharged by 12pm, authorities required him to surrender at the hospital instead. 

Lim’s jail term had been reduced on appeal from 17.5 years, with the court noting his advanced age and low likelihood that he would reoffend.

In November 2024, Lim was sentenced for three charges of cheating and forgery at the State Courts of Singapore after a lengthy trial. 

Lim was convicted in May 2024 of two charges of cheating the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and one count of abetting forgery that proceeded to trial out of a total of 130 criminal charges.

These three charges concern two fraudulent discounting applications made by Hin Leong to the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), pursuant to which HSBC disbursed a total of USD 111,683,939 to Hin Leong.

Related: Singapore: Hin Leong Trading Founder OK Lim hospitalised days before jail term begins
Related: Singapore: Hin Leong Founder OK Lim gets jail term slashed to 13.5 years
Related: Hin Leong Founder O.K. Lim sentenced to over 17 years in jail for cheating, forgery
Related: Singapore: Hin Leong Trading Founder found guilty of cheating and instigating forgery charges

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 6 April, 2026

Founder of collapsed oil trading firm Hin Leong Trading, Lim Oon Kuin, was reportedly hospitalised just three days before he was due to begin serving his 13.5-year jail sentence, according to news reports on Tuesday (31 March). 

The 84-year-old, widely known as OK Lim, was admitted to Gleneagles Hospital on 28 March after experiencing breathing difficulties.

His son told The Straits Times that the family found Lim disoriented and was struggling to breathe at home, and doctors are still conducting tests to determine the cause. 

Lim was ordered to surrender at the State Courts on 1 April following a High Court decision that reduced his original jail term of 17.5 years to 13.5 years after an appeal.

When asked if Lim will still report to the State Courts on 1 April, his son said the family is waiting for the doctor’s report. 

In November 2024, Lim was sentenced for three charges of cheating and forgery at the State Courts of Singapore after a lengthy trial. 

Lim was convicted in May 2024 of two charges of cheating the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and one count of abetting forgery that proceeded to trial out of a total of 130 criminal charges.

These three charges concern two fraudulent discounting applications made by Hin Leong to the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), pursuant to which HSBC disbursed a total of USD 111,683,939 to Hin Leong.

Related: Singapore: Hin Leong Founder OK Lim gets jail term slashed to 13.5 years
Related: Hin Leong Founder O.K. Lim sentenced to over 17 years in jail for cheating, forgery
Related: Singapore: Hin Leong Trading Founder found guilty of cheating and instigating forgery charges

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 1 April, 2026