52 Singaporeans arrested in China over alleged pyramid scheme52名新加坡人因涉嫌传销在中国被捕
Fifty-two Singaporeans in China's Guangxi province have been arrested and detained in relation to suspected pyramid scheme activities, said the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Singapore Police Force on Friday (Sept 4).The arrests arise from a law enforcement operation by the Chinese authorities, who are continuing their investigations.According to the joint statement on Friday, the Singapore police has...
Fifty-two Singaporeans in China's Guangxi province have been arrested and detained in relation to suspected pyramid scheme activities, said the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Singapore Police Force on Friday (Sept 4).
The arrests arise from a law enforcement operation by the Chinese authorities, who are continuing their investigations.
According to the joint statement on Friday, the Singapore police has contacted its Chinese counterparts to seek more information.
MFA said it has been engaging the Chinese authorities through the Singapore Embassy in Beijing and the Singapore Consulate-General in Guangzhou.
MFA officers overseas have conducted consular visits to all 52 Singaporeans to check on their well-being and provide consular assistance, and the ministry is also in contact with their next-of-kin.
"The Singapore Government does not intervene in foreign judicial systems, just as we expect foreign governments to respect our laws and legal process," it stated.
"MFA will continue to engage the Chinese authorities and provide consular assistance to the Singaporeans and their families. We will stress that due process should be accorded to the Singaporeans in accordance with Chinese law."
Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Sim Ann said on Friday that she has met with family members of most of the detainees.
"We're doing all we can to help them through an understandably difficult time," she said.
Sim, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs, said Singaporeans travelling or living overseas should abide by the laws of the countries they are in.
"On behalf of the police, I wish to reiterate that Singaporeans should exercise caution when considering business or investment schemes, whether overseas or local," she urged.
"This is especially so for schemes involving the recruitment of participants, upfront payment of large sums of money, or promises of unusually high returns."
lim.kewei@asiaone.com
新加坡外交部和新加坡警察部队周五（9月4日）表示，52名新加坡人在中国广西省因涉嫌参与传销活动而被捕拘留。
此次逮捕行动是中国当局执法行动的一部分，目前当局仍在继续调查。
根据周五发布的联合声明，新加坡警方已与中国警方联系，以获取更多信息。
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。
外交部驻外官员已对所有 52 名新加坡公民进行了领事探访，以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。
声明指出：“新加坡政府不会干预外国司法系统，正如我们希望外国政府尊重我们的法律和法律程序一样。”
“外交部将继续与中国当局沟通，并向新加坡公民及其家属提供领事协助。我们将强调，应根据中国法律给予新加坡公民正当程序。”
外交部第二部长沈颖周五表示，她已经会见了大部分被拘留者的家属。
“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，”她说。
兼任内政部第二部长沈志强表示，新加坡公民在海外旅行或居住时，应遵守所在国家的法律。
她敦促道：“我谨代表警方重申，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。”
“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。”
lim.kewei@asiaone.com