Chinese National Flew To Singapore To Collect Stolen Goods Caught Red Handed

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Yesterday, Wu was sentenced to seven months in jail after pleading guilty to handling stolen property linked to a transnational syndicate. - File picKUALA LUMPUR: A Chinese national was promised 30,000 yuan (about RM19,000) to travel to Singapore and collect nearly S$500,000 (RM1.7 million) worth of cash and valuables stolen by two burglars, reports said.
The Straits Times reported that Wu Jinxing, 28, who worked as a food deliveryman earning around 200 yuan a day, accepted the offer and flew to Singapore on July 27. 
He was instructed to retrieve an orange Hermes Birkin bag valued at around S$45,000 (RM154,000) hidden in a forested area near Buona Vista MRT station.
After retrieving the luxury bag, Wu was detained the same day and charged in court on July 29.
Yesterday, Wu was sentenced to seven months in jail after pleading guilty to handling stolen property linked to a transnational syndicate.
Deputy public prosecutor Janessa Phua said the burglars, identified as Wu Jianxin, 30, and Huang Ziqian, 35, both Chinese nationals, remain at large.
According to court documents, the pair broke into a home in July, stealing the orange Hermes bag, cash in various currencies, and three high-end watches worth up to S$165,000 (RM565,000) each.
They hid the stolen items along the Rail Corridor.The burglars then targeted other properties, stealing jewellery, cash, and 12 additional Hermes bags.
These items were concealed near Bukit Sedap Road, close to Holland Road. Wu and Wu Jianxin had been acquaintances for 12 years.
Early on July 27, Wu Jianxin contacted him, asking him to fly to Singapore immediately for a one-day trip to retrieve a bag and a watch. He promised to pay 30,000 yuan and cover travel expenses.
Despite being aware of the illegal nature of the task, Wu agreed and arrived in Singapore around noon. 
Following instructions, he took a train to Buona Vista MRT station, walked along the Rail Corridor, and climbed through dense vegetation to locate the orange Birkin bag hidden under pipes and leaves.
After retrieving the bag, Wu checked into a Geylang hotel at 7pm. Following further instructions via video call, he emptied the bag's contents onto a bed.
Police were already investigating the case and had recovered other stolen items from Bukit Sedap Road earlier that day.
The court did not disclose how the authorities identified the location of the loot. Unaware of the police presence, Wu later went to Bukit Sedap Road to collect more valuables.
Officers arrested him at 9.40pm and subsequently searched his hotel room, recovering the orange Birkin bag and its contents.
Phua, during sentencing, urged the court to impose a jail term of eight to nine months.
Under Singapore law, handling the benefits of criminal conduct carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to S$500,000 (RM1.7 million). - NST

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