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Ex-CID officer took S$31,000 in bribes from gambling den boss, gave tip-offs on raids, absconded for 17 years in China
He pleaded guilty to four corruption charges and one desertion charge.
To pay off his bills, a former assistant police superintendent took over S$31,000 in bribes from a former syndicate boss and gambling den operator, and provided tip-offs on upcoming police raids.
Koh Kian Tiong, 52, who was then part of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), also invited several other CID officers to drinking sessions fully paid for by the former syndicate boss.
In 2007, Koh absconded from duty while he was the subject of a Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) investigation, and ended up staying in China for close to 17 years.
Koh, who was jailed for offences committed in China, was repatriated to Singapore following his release.
He was arrested at Changi Airport in April 2024.
On May 21, Koh pleaded guilty to five corruption charges and one desertion charge, CNA reported.
The other charges are to be taken into consideration for sentencing.
Took bribes of S$31,000 from syndicate boss
Court documents indicated that near the end of 2005, Koh was going through divorce proceedings and struggled to pay his legal bills.
At the time, Koh was an Officer Commanding (OC) with CID's Anti-Unlicensed Money Lending Task Force, holding the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police.
He approached a CID colleague, Teng Jing Kang, who was in the Secret Societies Branch, and asked for a loan of S$15,000.
When Teng said he could not afford this, Koh asked him to check if syndicate boss Chua Chin Hoe, also known as Ah Hoe, could give him the sum.
Chua was notorious for operating several illegal gambling dens across Singapore, with some customers taking part in illegal online gambling activities.
Teng, who knew Chua better, helped Koh relay the request.
Believing that Koh could use his position as a senior SPF officer to help him, and hoping to gain his favour, Chua met up with Koh in Geylang and loaned him the S$15,000.
No repayment terms were discussed, and Koh never repaid the money.
Later, in 2006, Koh was struggling with credit card bills.
In September 2006, he reached out to Chua directly for help to repay S$24,000 in credit card debt, as they had grown close.
Chua, who wanted to continue to cultivate Koh for his assistance in police-related matters, agreed to help.
On two separate occasions in September 2006, Chua gave Koh S$8,000 at his house as part of the payment.
The two did not discuss repayment terms, and Koh did not repay the S$16,000.
In exchange for the gratification, Koh gave Chua information about gambling dens that could face police action, though he did not provide the specific dates of police raids.
Koh also helped Chua check on one of his associates, who was in custody at the time.
The prosecution accused Koh of allowing himself to be cultivated by Chua, as he was "living beyond his means" and needed Chua's money to sustain himself.
Invited CID officers to drinking sessions
In 2006, Koh also visited bars and KTV lounges with Chua, during which the latter always paid for the drinks.
Occasionally, Chua would pay for tips for hostesses and singers as well.
Later, Koh started inviting other CID officers to these drinking sessions with Chua.
One of these sessions was at a KTV in Eminent Plaza which had a sleazy reputation.
In late 2006, Koh brought two of his subordinates there for drinks together with Chua, as Koh was infatuated with a singer who worked there.
After introducing Chua to the officers, Koh asked Chua to pay for the drinks, which cost around S$300.
Chua agreed and did so, as he wanted to cultivate those officers in addition to Koh.
In April 2007, the pair had a similar drinking session at a Thai disco at Bolden Mile Complex, with four CID officers invited by Koh.
Chua again paid for the drinks.
Investigations found that based on his bank statements, Chua paid at least S$27,000 in entertainment expenses for the drinking sessions with Koh in 2006.
During this time, Koh introduced Chua to at least five CID officers, all of whom received free entertainment and alcohol from Chua.
At least one of these officers was bribed in cash by Chua and gave him a tip-off about an impending CID raid.
Absconded from duty for close to 17 years
In July 2007, Koh was on overseas leave in Shanghai, China.
When he learned that CPIB had started an investigation into his dealings with Chua, Koh decided not to return to Singapore.
In so doing, he absconded from duty on Jul. 16, 2007 and in total, deserted his post for 16 years, nine months and 13 days.
While in China, Koh committed unrelated offences, for which he was arrested and served a jail term.
After his release, Koh was repatriated to Singapore and arrested at Changi Airport on Apr. 28, 2024.
He has been in custody since.
On Apr. 29, 2024, Koh was charged in court with 14 counts of corruption.
The prosecution has asked for a jail term of between nine and 11 years for Koh.
"The accused held a very senior rank, as Assistant Superintendent of Police. In this position, he was entrusted with command over a team of officers," said the prosecution in their opening statement.
"He was expected to lead by example, but he fell woefully short of these standards."
The prosecution accused Koh of abusing his position as a senior CID officer to provide tip offs to Chua and help him check on his associate in custody, as well as facilitating the spread of corruption in the police force by introducing Chua to junior officers.
Koh's case is still before the courts.
Top image from Interpol & Canva
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