Man tries to smuggle $200,000 in foreign currency into S'pore, hides cash under car seat and in luggage
Wong Man Shun
The Straits Times
Oct 30, 2025
A man allegedly tried to smuggle $200,000 in foreign currency into Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint on Oct 23.
He was caught when Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers directed the Malaysia-registered car for enhanced checks and discovered the foreign currency concealed under the passenger seat, inside luggage and within a backpack.
ICA said in a Facebook post on Oct 30 that the amount came up to $200,000 in Brunei currency.
Travellers entering or leaving Singapore with money exceeding $20,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currency), have to declare so.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the Malaysian driver, 54, was allegedly transporting the money into Singapore on behalf of another party.
He had failed to submit the required electronic declaration.
Travellers must submit their declarations within 72 hours before their arrival in or departure from Singapore. They can do so via the MyICA Mobile app or ICA's website.
The case has been referred to the Singapore Police Force for further investigations.
