Remarks by Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Second Minister for Home Affairs Sim Ann, 4 September 2026

Second Minister Sim Ann: MFA has been informed by the Chinese authorities that 52 Singaporean citizens have been arrested and detained in Guangxi, China, following a law enforcement operation against suspected pyramid scheme activities and related offenses in China.

Our Embassy in Beijing and Consulate-General in Guangzhou have made three visits to all 52 detainees to check on their wellbeing and provide consular assistance. This includes conveying requests from the detainees and messages from their families and facilitating administrative matters. In Singapore, MFA officers are in touch with their next of kin, and I have met the family members of most of the detainees. We're doing all we can to help them through an understandably difficult time.

MFA and the Singapore Police Force are engaging the Chinese authorities to obtain further information on the cases. Even as we provide consular assistance to the affected Singaporeans, I would like to emphasise that the Singapore Government does not interfere in the judicial process and investigations of other countries, just as we expect foreign governments to respect our laws and legal process. The Singapore Government will continue to pay close attention to the case and stress that due process should be accorded to our citizens.

On behalf of the police, I wish to reiterate that Singaporeans should exercise caution when considering business or investment schemes, whether overseas or local. This is especially so for schemes involving the recruitment of participants, upfront payment of large sums of money, or promises of unusually high returns. Singaporeans traveling or residing overseas are reminded to abide by the laws of their host countries.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

4 SEPTEMBER 2026