Jin Songzhe, a 51-year-old director of C&C Combine Singapore Co. Pte Ltd and Help & Love Internet Technology (Singapore) Pte Ltd, has been fined $450,000 by the State Courts for fraudulent evasion of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on imported goods. Jin pleaded guilty to evading GST amounting to $139,655.88 through 64 shipments between January and December 2022. Additional charges were considered during sentencing, including further GST evasion and incorrect declarations.
The fraudulent scheme involved Jin’s companies and a Guangzhou-based freight forwarder. Singapore buyers would place orders with China-based agents, who issued invoices reflecting the actual value of goods and collected the corresponding GST. However, falsified invoices with lower values were sent to the freight forwarder, who then forwarded them to C&C Combine. Jin’s staff created further altered invoices, which were used to apply for the Cargo Clearance Permit, declaring Jin’s companies as importers and paying GST on the under-declared values.
Jin’s direct involvement included managing operations and authorising the submission of altered invoices. The scheme allowed China agents and the freight forwarder to keep the difference between the actual and underpaid GST, maintaining business ties with Jin’s companies.
A Singapore Customs spokesperson stated, “Fraudulent evasion of import GST undermines fair trade and deprives the country of legitimate tax revenue.” Offenders face fines up to 20 times the evaded GST and/or imprisonment. The public is encouraged to report smuggling or GST evasion activities to Customs.
“`
