In August 2023, Singapore police carried out their biggest-ever money laundering raid. Officers arrested several individuals and seized valuables worth around $2.3 billion. These included cash, gold bars, luxury houses, jewellery, cars, watches, and cryptocurrency. Most of the people arrested belonged to a network involved in illegal online gambling and scam operations.
Soon after the raid, two men linked to the case – Su Binghai and Xu Haika left Singapore. Although they were not formally charged at that time, police wanted to speak to them for the investigation. While Singapore continued looking into the case, the two men began spending large sums of money in the United Kingdom.
Millions Spent on London Properties and Dinosaur Bones
Around the same time Singapore police were conducting raids, Su Binghai and Xu Haika used UK-based companies to buy luxury apartments in central London. Together, they spent around £40.5 million (nearly $51 million) on 25 high-end units.
Xu Haika purchased 16 apartments inside new modern complexes located near Oxford Street, one of London’s busiest and most popular areas. These homes together were valued at about £24.7 million. The area is close to the famous Tottenham Court Road station and surrounded by shops, offices, and entertainment spaces.
Su Binghai bought nine premium apartments near Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. These units were located in a luxury development called “The Broadway,” and were worth around £15.8 million. All nine homes were purchased on 22 August 2023, just one week after he left Singapore.
However, the most unusual purchase was made by Su Binghai. He spent around £12.4 million (about $16 million) on three full dinosaur skeletons. These included a baby and mother Allosaurus pair, and another dinosaur called a Stegosaurus. He also bought 11 Chinese artworks, including Ming-era vases and bronze swords, worth more than $500,000.
UK authorities later seized the dinosaur skeletons, Chinese artefacts, and properties. Su Binghai also agreed to return almost $450,000 he earned as rent from the London properties.
Foreign Passports and Companies Used for Purchases
Instead of using their original nationalities, both Su Binghai and Xu Haika used passports obtained through “citizenship-by-investment” programs. These are schemes where wealthy individuals can buy citizenship by investing money in certain countries.
Company records showed that Xu Haika, who is 43, set up two UK companies using a Vanuatu passport. One of those companies later bought the 16 London apartments. He also holds Cambodian citizenship.
On the other hand, Su Binghai, aged 37, created two UK companies using a passport from Saint Kitts and Nevis. He has also held passports from China and Cambodia. One of his companies, called Su Empire Ltd, was used to buy the nine London apartments.
In April 2024, the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) placed a freezing order on the nine apartments. The NCA also placed an Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) on him, requiring him to explain where the money came from to buy such expensive assets.
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Investigations Continue Across Countries
The case is drawing attention in both Singapore and the UK due to the massive sums involved and the unusual purchase of dinosaur skeletons.
Singapore police said there is no confirmed proof yet that the money used for the UK property deals came directly from crimes in Singapore, but the investigation may extend to the UK if required.
Su Binghai later agreed to surrender at least $243 million in assets to the Singapore government in return for being removed from Interpol watchlists. He is now banned from entering Singapore.
Xu Haika remains under investigation, and Singapore officials said they may work with UK authorities if needed.
