Arrest warrants, Interpol notices issued for couple who allegedly failed to deliver luxury watches, bags to buyers

SINGAPORE — Arrest warrants and Interpol notices have been issued against a couple who went missing after allegedly failing to deliver luxury watches and bags to buyers, the police said on Wednesday (July 20).

At least 180 reports involving two companies, Tradenation and Tradeluxury, were made to police from June to date.

The complainants said they made advance payments to the company for luxury watches or bags, but the companies did not deliver the products.

Tradenation was registered as a precious stones and metals dealer on April 2, the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) said. Registered dealers are regulated under the Registrar of Regulated Dealers for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism purposes.

A 26-year-old Singaporean man was arrested on June 27 for his suspected involvement in the cheating offences, the Singapore Police Force said in response to CNA’s queries.

His passport was impounded and he was released on bail on June 28, pending the completion of investigations.

His 27-year-old wife was also assisting the police with investigations and surrendered her passport to officers on June 30.

They could not be contacted later, the police said.

Last Wednesday, the police arrested a 40-year-old Malaysian man who allegedly helped the couple to leave Singapore on July 4. He was charged two days after his arrest for abetting another person to depart Singapore illegally.

The police here said that arrest warrants and Interpol red notices have been issued against the couple.

Interpol red notices are issued for fugitives wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence. It is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person, pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action.

“The police are working closely with foreign law enforcement counterparts to trace the couple and the criminal proceeds,” the Singapore Police Force said. 

MinLaw said it has suspended Tradenation's registration due to the ongoing police investigations.

Anyone found guilty of cheating face an imprisonment term of up to 10 years. If Tradenation is found guilty, MinLaw will take regulatory action with a view to terminate the company's registration. CNA