Wu Jinxing, a 28-year-old Chinese national from Shenzhen, was sentenced to seven months’ jail on December 16 for his role in retrieving stolen goods worth nearly S$500,000 for a burglary syndicate operating in Singapore. Wu, a food deliveryman, had been recruited by his associate Wu Jianxin to recover high-end stolen items, including a luxury Hermes Birkin bag valued at approximately S$45,000.
Wu Jinxing was arrested on July 27, 2023, when he was caught retrieving the Birkin bag near Buona Vista MRT station. This crime was connected to two other burglars, Wu Jianxin and Huang Ziqian, who remain at large. The trio had targeted luxury items and cash across multiple homes in Singapore, with some of the stolen goods concealed in various locations, including near Bukit Sedap Road.
According to court documents, Wu was offered a reward of 30,000 yuan (approximately S$5,600) for his role in retrieving the stolen items. After arriving in Singapore, he followed instructions to retrieve the items hidden along the Rail Corridor. Upon finding the bag, Wu later checked into a hotel, unaware that police were already investigating. Authorities had been tipped off about the burglary and arrested him when he returned to retrieve more stolen goods.
Wu was charged with dishonestly retaining stolen property worth over S$180,000. In court, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Janessa Phua argued for a sentence of eight to nine months, citing the transnational nature of the crime and its syndicate involvement. Wu Jinxing was ultimately sentenced to seven months in prison.
The investigation revealed a rise in foreign syndicates, including Chinese nationals, exploiting Singapore’s visa-free entry arrangements to commit crimes before fleeing the country. Police are collaborating with Chinese authorities to locate other members of the syndicate.
Wu Jinxing’s arrest follows the growing concern over foreign-linked burglaries, particularly those involving Chinese nationals exploiting the Singapore visa exemption. However, Minister for Home Affairs and Law, K Shanmugam, assured that the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority’s (ICA) measures were sufficient to address the issue.
Wu’s case highlights the challenges of combating transnational crime and the efforts to strengthen border security while facilitating travel.
