Car dealer paid S$19,000 in coins: Case is civil, not criminal

SINGAPORE — The car dealer who was paid S$19,067.85 in coins has made a police report; but the police have told him it is a civil case, not a criminal one.

Mr S. T. Tang, owner of Exotic Motor, told Channel NewsAsia today (Nov 6) that he made a police report after Mr Lester Ong Boon Lin had the coins dumped on the car showroom’s floor.

Mr Ong had reportedly been ordered by the court several months ago to pay Exotic Motor the amount.

In his police report, Mr Tang said there were 50-cent, 20-cent and 10-cent coins, as well as some foreign coins — and they reeked of fish.

“I approached the client (Mr Ong) to take back the coins, however, he informed me he had paid off the debt and drove off without collecting back the coins,” he said.

The coins were later placed in plastic bags and put in Mr Tang’s car boot. He said he tried to return the coins to Mr Ong’s lawyer, but was told the lawyer was no longer acting for him.

Mr Tang is now awaiting legal advice on how to return the coins to Mr Ong. Police confirmed that the report was lodged.

According to the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Currency Act, coins of a denomination smaller than 50 cents — such as 5-cent, 10-cent and 20-cent coins — can be paid only for an amount up to S$2. Payments of up to S$10 can be made with 50-cent coins. Only S$1 coins can be used for the payment of any amount. CHANNEL NEWSASIA