52 Singaporeans arrested, detained in China over suspected pyramid scheme

Three sources told CNA those arrested had been detained since at least mid-July.

Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Sim Ann speaking to the media at MFA headquarters on Sep 4, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Alyssa Tan)

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SINGAPORE: Fifty-two Singaporeans have been arrested and detained in Guangxi, China, over suspected pyramid scheme activities and related offences, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and police said on Friday (Sep 4).

This is believed to be the largest number of Singaporeans arrested and detained overseas at any one time.

MFA said it has been engaging the Chinese authorities through the Singapore Embassy in Beijing and the Singapore Consulate-General in Guangzhou, and has been informed that investigations are ongoing.

According to three sources CNA spoke to, those arrested had been detained since at least the middle of July.

CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less Under Chinese law, suspects of certain crimes can be held for up to 37 days before authorities decide whether to formally arrest them. MFA said it has visited all 52 Singaporeans to check on their well-being and provide consular assistance. It is also in contact with their next of kin. At the MFA headquarters on Friday morning, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Sim Ann told reporters that ministry officers have made three visits to the detainees so far. This included conveying requests from the detainees and messages from their families, as well as facilitating administrative matters. She added that she has met the family members of most of the detainees. "We’re doing all we can to help them through an understandably difficult time."

Under Chinese law, suspects of certain crimes can be held for up to 37 days before authorities decide whether to formally arrest them.

MFA said it has visited all 52 Singaporeans to check on their well-being and provide consular assistance. It is also in contact with their next of kin.

At the MFA headquarters on Friday morning, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Sim Ann told reporters that ministry officers have made three visits to the detainees so far.

This included conveying requests from the detainees and messages from their families, as well as facilitating administrative matters.

She added that she has met the family members of most of the detainees. "We’re doing all we can to help them through an understandably difficult time."

“Even as we provide consular assistance to the affected Singaporeans, I would like to emphasise that the Singapore government does not interfere in the judicial process and investigations of other countries, just as we expect foreign governments to respect our laws and legal process,” said Ms Sim.

“The Singapore government will continue to pay close attention to the case, and stress that due process should be accorded to our citizens.”

Ms Sim also reiterated that Singaporeans should exercise caution when considering business or investment schemes, whether overseas or local.

This is especially so for schemes involving the recruitment of participants, upfront payment of large sums of money or promises of unusually high returns, she said.

“Singaporeans travelling or residing overseas are reminded to abide by the laws of their host countries,” she added.

In response to CNA queries, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday: “China handles cases involving foreign nationals in accordance with the law and fully protects the lawful rights and interests of those involved.”

Additional reporting by Lee Gim Siong

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三位消息人士告诉中央社，被捕者至少从7月中旬起就被拘留了。

2026年9月4日，外交部兼内政部第二部长沈颖在外交部总部接受媒体采访。（图片：CNA/Alyssa Tan）

这段音频由人工智能工具生成。

新加坡：新加坡外交部和警方周五（9月4日）表示，52名新加坡人因涉嫌参与传销活动及相关罪行在中国广西被捕并拘留。

据信这是新加坡公民在海外一次性被捕和拘留人数最多的一次。

新加坡外交部表示，已通过新加坡驻北京大使馆和新加坡驻广州总领事馆与中国当局进行沟通，并获悉调查正在进行中。

据中央社采访的三名消息人士称，被捕者至少从7月中旬起就被拘留。

CNA游戏 猜词游戏 逐行破解单词 流行词游戏 用给定的字母组成单词 迷你数独 小谜题，脑力挑战 迷你填字游戏 小方格，大挑战 单词搜索 尽可能多地找出单词 显示更多 显示更少 根据中国法律，某些犯罪嫌疑人可被拘留最多37天，之后当局才会决定是否正式逮捕他们。外交部表示，已探访了所有52名新加坡公民，了解他们的健康状况并提供领事协助。外交部也与他们的近亲保持联系。周五上午，外交部兼内政部第二部长沈颖在外交部总部告诉记者，外交部官员迄今已三次探访被拘留者。探访内容包括转达被拘留者的请求和家属的信息，以及协助处理行政事务。她补充说，她已与大多数被拘留者的家属会面。“我们正在尽一切努力帮助他们度过这段可以理解的艰难时期。”

根据中国法律，某些犯罪嫌疑人可以被拘留长达 37 天，之后当局再决定是否正式逮捕他们。

外交部表示，已探访全部52名新加坡公民，了解他们的健康状况并提供领事协助。外交部也已与他们的近亲取得联系。

周五上午，外交部第二部长兼内政部长沈颖在外交部总部告诉记者，外交部官员迄今已探望了被拘留者三次。

这包括传达被拘留者的请求和他们家人的信息，以及协助处理行政事务。

她补充说，她已经见过大多数被拘留者的家属。“我们正在尽一切努力帮助他们度过这段可以理解的艰难时期。”

“即便我们向受影响的新加坡人提供领事协助，我也要强调，新加坡政府不会干涉其他国家的司法程序和调查，正如我们希望外国政府尊重我们的法律和法律程序一样，”沈女士说。

“新加坡政府将继续密切关注此案，并强调应给予公民正当程序。”

沈女士还重申，新加坡人在考虑商业或投资计划时，无论是在海外还是在本地，都应该谨慎行事。

她表示，对于涉及招募参与者、预先支付大笔资金或承诺异常高回报的计划来说，尤其如此。

她补充说：“新加坡公民在海外旅行或居住时，务必遵守所在国的法律。”

针对中央社的询问，中国外交部周二表示：“中国依法处理涉及外国公民的案件，充分保障相关人员的合法权益。”

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