52 Singaporeans Held in Guangxi Over Pyramid Scheme
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Fifty-two Singapore citizens were arrested in Guangxi in an enforcement operation targeting suspected pyramid-selling activities. In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said China handles criminal and illegal cases involving foreign nationals in accordance with the law and fully protects the lawful rights of those involved.
Key Points
- Singapore's foreign ministry said the 52 citizens were arrested and detained in Guangxi during a law-enforcement operation against pyramid-selling activities.
- Chinese and Singapore media reports said the suspected scheme was the long-running “1040 Sunshine Project”, believed to have originated in Guangxi.
- The scheme allegedly required an entry payment of nearly 70,000 yuan and promised high returns for recruiting more downlines, with no actual products or services involved
- Singapore's embassy in China and consulate-general in Guangzhou have visited the detained citizens three times to check on their physical and mental condition.
- Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Sim Ann said Singapore would assist families and detainees, but would not interfere in another country's judicial process or criminal investigation.
Why It Matters
The case has been described by Singapore media as the largest single overseas arrest incident involving Singaporeans, giving it unusual diplomatic and public attention. For Hong Kong readers, it is also a reminder that cross-border recruitment schemes can be framed as “secret projects” with official backing, even when they involve no real products or services