Commercial Affairs Department Explained

National:Yes
Police:Yes
Parentagency:Ministry of Home Affairs
Agencyname:Commercial Affairs Department
Abbreviation:CAD
Country:Singapore
Governingbody:Government of Singapore
Minister1name:Teo Chee Hean
Minister1pfo:Senior Minister & Coordinating Minister for National Security
Minister2name:K Shanmugam
Minister2pfo:Minister for Home Affairs & Minister for Law
Minister3name:Josephine Teo
Minister3pfo:Minister for Communications and Information & Second Minister for Home Affairs
Minister4name:Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim
Minister4pfo:Minister of State for Home Affairs & Minister of State for National Development
Minister5name:Desmond Tan
Minister5pfo:Minister of State for Home Affairs & Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment

1.2784°N 103.8393°WThe Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) is a staff department of the Singapore Police Force (SPF). The department was first established in 1984 as the Commercial Crime Department (CCD), it is the white-collar crimes unit[1] of the SPF.

History

The department was first established in 1984 as the Commercial Crime Department (CCD) with Glenn Knight as its first director.

Modern day

Background

As the white-collar crimes unit[2] of the police force, CAD conducts a variety of inquiries ranging from corporate irregularities such as LionGold[3] and Data Register[4] in 2014, as well as casino-related offences.[5] It also has the right making arrests.[6]

Probes

High-profile probes conducted by CAD include City Harvest Church[7] founder Kong Hee,[8] former bank relationship manager Vyia Lee Yock Sim who had misappropriated more than US$400,000 from seven high net-worth clients by 2006,[9] China tourist guide Yang Yin with a widow's niece over a legal tussle assets believed to be worth $40 million.[10]

In September 2003, the CAD is also responsible for the capture of Chia Teck Leng, who was found to have misused his position as the finance manager of Asia Pacific Breweries to swindle over $117 million from four foreign banks to pay off his debts and feed his gambling addiction. Chia is currently serving a 42-year jail term since 2004 for the crime, which was then the worst commercial crime Singapore has ever witnessed.[11]

In January 2000, the CAD acted upon a report to arrest SIA cabin crew supervisor Teo Cheng Kiat for embezzling an approximate sum of $35 million from his company. Teo was charged with 26 counts of criminal breach of trust and corruption, and he was sentenced to 24 years in jail after the courts convicted him of ten out of these charges.[12] [13]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Kwok. Jonathan. Police investigating trading irregularities after penny stock meltdown. 13 January 2015.
  2. News: Kwok. Jonathan. Police investigating trading irregularities after penny stock meltdown. 13 January 2015.
  3. News: Remaining potential investors in LionGold withdraw following CAD probe. 13 January 2015. 24 Jun 2014.
  4. News: Hoe. Pei Shan. Data Register being investigated by police, monies from bank account seized. 13 January 2015. 18 Jun 2014.
  5. News: Ng. Kai Ling. RWS fined $600000 for partially reimbursing levies for 3400 patrons. 13 January 2015.
  6. Web site: statement by singapore police force. POLICE NEWS RELEASE.
  7. News: CAD charges are against individuals, not the church: DPM Teo. 13 January 2015. Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. 26 Jun 2012.
  8. News: Kok. Xing Hui. Kong's CAD statements 'at odds with confession letter'. 13 January 2015. 12 September 2014.
  9. News: Lim. Crime busters win accolades for cracking cases. 13 January 2015. 28 Jun 2014.
  10. News: Khew. Carolyn. Former China tour guide Yang Yin called back to assist police with investigations. 13 January 2015.
  11. News: Guilty As Charged: Chia Teck Leng led a double life and cheated banks of millions. The Straits Times. 16 May 2016. 5 December 2021.
  12. Web site: https://www.singaporelawwatch.sg/Portals/0/Docs/Judgments/[2000%20SGHC%20129.pdf Public Prosecutor v Teo Cheng Kiat]. Singapore Law Watch. 6 July 2000. 27 January 2022.
  13. News: Greed, greed and more greed. The Straits Times. 1 July 2000.