{"id":54056,"date":"2026-05-21T06:56:44","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T22:56:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=54056"},"modified":"2026-05-21T06:56:44","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T22:56:44","slug":"former-citiraya-ceo-hit-with-fresh-charges-spanning-corruption-money-laundering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=54056","title":{"rendered":"Former Citiraya CEO hit with fresh charges spanning corruption, money laundering"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>New allegations shed more light on one of Singapore\u2019s largest embezzlement scandals<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-testid=\"article-body-container\">\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">[SINGAPORE] Singaporean tycoon Ng Teck Lee, the former CEO of electronic waste-recycling company Citiraya Industries, was handed additional charges in court on Wednesday (May 20) over an <a class=\"text-verticals-btblue underline hover:text-blue-500\" data-testid=\"article-annotation-link-component\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstimes.com.sg\/singapore\/19-year-manhunt-sporean-tycoon-involved-s72-million-embezzlement-case-ends-jb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">embezzlement scandal dating back to the early 2000s<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">The 38 fresh charges span corruption, criminal breach of trust, money laundering, cheating, theft and the falsification of accounts, indicated a joint press release by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau and the Singapore Police Force.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">The new allegations revealed more details on the operation, which reportedly involved the diversion, dishonest disposal and illegal sale of electronic scrap.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">After a 19-year run from the law, Ng, 59, was extradited to Singapore in December 2024. He initially faced <a class=\"text-verticals-btblue underline hover:text-blue-500\" data-testid=\"article-annotation-link-component\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstimes.com.sg\/singapore\/former-ceo-citiraya-industries-slapped-misappropriation-charge-after-nearly-2-decades-run\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">baseline charges for criminal breach of trust and corruption<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"-tracking-5% mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"heading-component\">Falsification of accounts<\/h2>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Of the charges Ng is facing, 15 are related to corruption and 14 are linked to the falsification of accounts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">He allegedly gave \u201cgratification totalling S$35,000 to three individuals, either as inducements or rewards\u201d, between March 2003 and April 2004.<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"component-container\" class=\"container px-0 no-print\">\n<div data-testid=\"article-inside-btg-newsletter-component\" class=\"track-impression rounded-lg border border-gray-175 bg-white px-6 py-8 text-center shadow-[0px_4px_32px_0px_rgba(0,0,0,0.05)] no-print mb-6 lg:-mx-8\" data-section-name=\"newsletter\" data-section-label=\"decoding asia 1\">\n<h3 class=\"mb-2 font-lct text-7xl font-normal leading-snug -tracking-2%\">Navigate Asia in<br \/>a new global order<\/h3>\n<p class=\"font-lct text-lg font-normal leading-snug -tracking-2%\">Get the insights delivered to your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">The bribes were allegedly to prevent the crushing of microchips from computer-chip manufacturer AMD, and to prevent the sampling and weighing of gold scrap that originated from 3M Singapore.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">The bribes were also suspected to help Citiraya gain favour in securing a recycling contract with Seagate Technology International.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Ng also allegedly instigated his brother, Ng Teck Boon, to pay roughly S$1.8 million and US$200,000 in bribes to seven individuals.<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"component-container\" class=\"container px-0 no-print\">\n<div class=\"no-print mb-6 mt-8 border border-gray-175 p-6 md:-mx-8 md:mt-0 md:p-8\" data-testid=\"article-read-more-component\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"mb-6 border-b border-gray-250 pb-4 font-poppins text-4xs font-medium tracking-widest text-gray-515\">SEE ALSO<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"section-article-read-more\">\n<div class=\"mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-read-more-individual-card-component\">\n<div data-testid=\"basic-card-component\" data-cueid=\"5484404\" class=\"relative flex flex-wrap items-start gap-4\">\n<div class=\"relative w-[70px] lg:w-[90px] aspect-3x2 order-1 flex-shrink-0\">\n<div class=\"w-full overflow-hidden relative flex\" data-testid=\"article-thumbnail-component\"><a class=\"block h-full w-full\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstimes.com.sg\/singapore\/19-year-manhunt-sporean-tycoon-involved-s72-million-embezzlement-case-ends-jb?ref=article-see-also\" data-discover=\"true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"relative z-10 h-full w-full object-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/businesstimes\/355002f899f20961f08668d0bf190bad3724f54021fd3849772b8a6c08da161e?w=240&amp;dpr=1&amp;f=webp\" alt=\"Ng Teck Lee, who was the CEO of then listed recycling firm Citiraya Industries, and his wife Thor Chwee Hwa being handed over to CPIB officers on Dec 3. \" width=\"860\" height=\"573\"\/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-read-more-individual-card-component\">\n<div data-testid=\"basic-card-component\" data-cueid=\"5486087\" class=\"relative flex flex-wrap items-start gap-4\">\n<div class=\"relative w-[70px] lg:w-[90px] aspect-3x2 order-1 flex-shrink-0\">\n<div class=\"w-full overflow-hidden relative flex\" data-testid=\"article-thumbnail-component\"><a class=\"block h-full w-full\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstimes.com.sg\/singapore\/former-ceo-citiraya-industries-slapped-misappropriation-charge-after-nearly-2-decades-run?ref=article-see-also\" data-discover=\"true\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"relative z-10 h-full w-full object-cover\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/businesstimes\/c78e8440ce74cf17a2423e5a171eb2a68991a89613815fe20a29958564a4cbf9?w=240&amp;dpr=1&amp;f=webp\" alt=\"Ng Teck Lee faces a mandatory jail term if convicted of misappropriation.\" width=\"507\" height=\"800\"\/><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">These were reportedly intended to spare electronic waste from destruction, as well as secure or extend corporate contracts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">The accused is also said to have misappropriated 89,760 kg of electronic chips entrusted to him as Citiraya\u2019s director, selling them in Hong Kong and Taiwan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">The authorities said that he also \u201cdishonestly\u201d disposed of electronic scrap. Allegedly, he instructed Citiraya staff to repackage and export \u2013 rather than crush \u2013 112,798 kg of such scrap from Intel Resale Corporation, as well as 416 kg of electronic scrap belonging to Agilent Technologies Singapore.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Between November 2003 and January 2005, he reportedly cheated a 3M finance manager with refining statements claiming that the company\u2019s electronic scrap yielded a lower content of precious metal than the actual amount.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">He also allegedly instigated a Citiraya production manager to cheat a senior accountant at AMD with the same claim in 2004, on multiple occasions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Some time after April 2003, Ng reportedly transferred about US$45 million in criminal proceeds to overseas bank accounts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">He instigated his wife, Thor Chwee Hwa, to open an overseas bank account in her name \u201cto retain and conceal the benefits\u201d of his criminal conduct. A sum of about US$1 million was transferred to that account in July 2003.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Ng is also accused of engaging in a conspiracy with several individuals to falsify 97 sales invoices of Citiraya and six other companies between June 2004 and January 2005.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"-tracking-5% mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"heading-component\">History of the scandal<\/h2>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">These developments mark the latest chapter in one of Singapore\u2019s largest corporate scandals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Citiraya Industries was in the business of recycling and recovering precious metals from electronic scrap, such as used computer chips.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">The scheme unravelled after a complaint in December 2004, when a chip from a US-based client that was supposed to be scrapped surfaced in Taiwan following an operation by the local police.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Ng fled Singapore before he could be charged.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">While on the run, he and his wife assumed false identities and managed to evade the authorities for nearly two decades.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">In 2011, an order was issued to seize about S$23 million of Ng\u2019s assets, including those held in his wife\u2019s name.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">The assets included money from various bank accounts, insurance policies held by the couple, shareholdings in various companies, as well as proceeds from the sale of his Good Class Bungalow in Binjai Park and a 7,300-square-foot detached house in Paya Lebar.<\/p>\n<div class=\"whitespace-normal mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-inline-image-component\">\n<figure class=\"table w-full\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/businesstimes\/5e20353a1e387843607d7cb1f8c418beb4219f325362bf6649eabcf95d06f0a4\" alt=\"\" height=\"760\" width=\"1140\" class=\"block max-w-full w-full\"\/><figcaption class=\"m-0 mt-1 p-0 text-3xs text-gray-525 table-caption caption-bottom\">Among the assets seized were proceeds from the sale of Ng\u2019s house in Paya Lebar. <span>PHOTO: BT FILE<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">He was apprehended and extradited to Singapore in December 2024, after 19 years at large.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">He was then handed charges for committing criminal breach of trust and a corruption offence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">His wife faced a money laundering charge for her role in helping to conceal the illicit funds.<\/p>\n<div class=\"whitespace-normal mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-inline-image-component\">\n<figure class=\"table mx-auto\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/businesstimes\/8d8ee83860845aeeb572738b3a9793ca65ea7479ebd8dd1bcbca5f28d8b2cf78\" alt=\"\" height=\"877\" width=\"657\" class=\"block max-w-full\"\/><figcaption class=\"m-0 mt-1 p-0 text-3xs text-gray-525 table-caption caption-bottom\">Ng\u2019s 19 years on the run ended in December 2024, when he was apprehended and extradited to Singapore. <span>PHOTO: CPIB<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">His initial charge for criminal breach of trust alleged that he had misappropriated a total of 6,791 kg of electronic scrap entrusted to Citiraya Industries by five companies in 2005.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">While this charge did not disclose the scrap\u2019s monetary value, <em>The Straits Times<\/em> reported in 2008 that investigations revealed Ng had purportedly made more than US$51 million from his schemes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">The affected companies were named as Texas Instruments, Infineon Technologies Asia Pacific, ChipPac Malaysia, ST Microelectronics and RF Micro Devices (Beijing).<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Infineon Technologies allegedly lost the largest share, at 2,918 kg.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">Citiraya Industries was restructured in the wake of the embezzlement scandal, and renamed Centillion Environment and Recycling in 2006.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-pre-wrap break-words mb-4 md:mb-6\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-component\">It has been known as <!-- --> <!-- -->Metech International<!-- --> <!-- --> since 2012 after merging with a US-based firm. In 2015, its listing was transferred from the Catalist board to the mainboard of the Singapore Exchange.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"article-btg-newsletter-component\" data-section-name=\"newsletter\" data-section-label=\"decoding asia 2\" class=\"track-impression border-t border-gray-175 py-3\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"font-lucida text-xl font-medium italic leading-normal -tracking-5% text-gray-850\">Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. <span class=\"inline cursor-pointer border-none p-0 font-lucida text-inherit text-xl font-medium italic leading-normal !-tracking-5% text-verticals-btblue !underline outline-none hover:text-blue-500\">Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter.<\/span> Delivered to your inbox. Free.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesstimes.com.sg\/companies-markets\/former-citiraya-ceo-hit-fresh-charges-spanning-corruption-money-laundering\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New allegations shed more light on one of Singapore\u2019s largest embezzlement scandals [SINGAPORE] Singaporean tycoon Ng Teck Lee, the former CEO of electronic waste-recycling company&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":54057,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-54056","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54056","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=54056"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54056\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/54057"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=54056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=54056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=54056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}