Legal

Singaporean wanted by FBI jailed 2.5 years over DPRK gasoil shipment

Kwek Kee Seng, who had a USD 5 million bounty on his whereabouts, pleaded guilty to three counts of flouting UN sanctions, one count for receiving the criminal benefits and another for obstructing the course of justice.

Published

3 months ago

April 9, 2026

Admin

Singaporean wanted by FBI jailed 2.5 years over DPRK gasoil shipment

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.

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

Related Topics:Legal - Crime Legal - Sanctions

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Singapore withdraws remaining 127 charges against Hin Leong founder OK Lim

Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges on 17 July.

Published

5 hours ago

July 21, 2026

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Founder of collapsed oil trader Hin Leong Trading, Lim Oon Kuin, also known as OK Lim, has had the remaining 127 charges against him withdrawn, according to The Straits Times on Monday (20 July).

OK Lim was issued a stern warning and a district court granted him a discharge amounting to an acquittal for these charges, including those for cheating, on 17 July. The discharge means Lim cannot be prosecuted again for the same offences.

Lim, 84, is currently serving a 13½-year prison sentence after the High Court reduced his original 17½-year jail term in March 2026. He was convicted in 2024 on two cheating charges and one count of abetting forgery in a case prosecutors described as one of Singapore’s most serious trade finance frauds.

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.

He was first charged in court on 14 August 2020, and was subsequently handed further charges in court on 25 September 2020, 30 April 2021 and 24 June 2021 for his role in perpetuating fraud on various financial institutions.

A total of 130 charges were eventually brought against him for cheating and forgery-related offences.

Photo credit: Sora Shimazaki
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Singapore: Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd to be wound up voluntarily

Coastal Logistics was reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

Published

5 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

Several resolutions for Coastal Logistics Pte Ltd were made during an extraordinary general meeting held on 14 July, according to a notice in the Government Gazette on Friday (4 July).

The following resolutions were duly passed during the meeting:

As Special Resolution

That it has been proved to the satisfaction of the meeting that the Company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business and accordingly the Company be wound up voluntarily pursuant to Section 160(1)(b) of the Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (No. 40 of 2018);

As Ordinary Resolutions

that Mr. Wong Pheng Cheong Martin and Ms. Koay May Yee, both care of FTI Consulting (Singapore) Pte Ltd, One Raffles Quay, #27-10 South Tower, Singapore 048583 be appointed as the joint and several Liquidators of the Company for the purpose of such winding up; and
that the Liquidators be at liberty to open, maintain and operate any bank account(s) or account(s) for monies received by them as Liquidators with such bank(s) as they deem fit; and
that a Committee of Inspection will not be formed.

Manifold Times previously reported Nicholas James Gronow, director of Heng Tong Fuels & Shipping and Coastal Logistics, filed statutory declarations for both companies stating the firms cannot continue their businesses due to liabilities.

Both companies were reportedly affiliated with troubled Singapore bunker player Coastal Oil (Singapore) Pte Ltd.

In 2019, several vessels owned by both firms entered the sale & purchase (S&P) market in Singapore.

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 21 July, 2026

Winding up

Singapore: Liquidator of Nan Shan Maritime Pte Ltd issues notice of dividend

Third interim dividend to admitted unsecured claims of Nan Shan Maritime is payable from 15 July, according to Government Gazette notice.

Published

5 days ago

July 16, 2026

Admin

A notice of dividend for Nan Shan Maritime Pte Ltd, which is currently in creditors’ voluntary liquidation, was published on the Government Gazette on Wednesday (15 July).

The following are the details of the notice:

Name of Company : Nan Shan Maritime (Pte.) Ltd.(In Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation)
Unique Entity No. / Registration No. : 201701967H
Address of Registered Office : 10 Anson Road, #10-10, International Plaza, Singapore 079903
Amount per centum : 5.00 Per Centum of all admitted unsecured, claims
First and Final or Otherwise : Third Interim
When Payable : 15 July 2026
Where Payable : Entitlements will be made by way of cheque.

Photo credit: Drew Beamer
Published: 16 July, 2026