A 61-year-old conveyancing lawyer, Chan I-Fei Julia, was charged in court on July 16 with conspiring to commit forgery. The charges are linked to the ongoing investigation into Singapore’s S$3 billion money laundering case, which has already seen the conviction of 10 foreign nationals. Chan, a director at Sterling Law, is accused of abetting a woman named Lim Lai Hong to forge a document purportedly signed by Chen Lingling in December 2023. This document was allegedly used in connection with the purchase of a luxury residential unit at South Beach Residences on Beach Road.
Court documents indicate that the alleged offence involves an associate of one of the 10 foreigners previously convicted in the high-profile case. Chen Lingling, the individual whose signature was allegedly forged, has been identified by authorities as an associate of one of the convicted offenders and a shareholder in several companies holding commercial real estate. The investigation into the property transaction highlights the continued scrutiny of professional services that may have been used to facilitate illicit financial activities.
This development follows broader enforcement actions by the Ministry of Law, which has been investigating law firms for anti-money laundering breaches. In 2025, several firms faced financial penalties for failing to adhere to strict regulatory standards regarding property transactions linked to the money laundering scandal. The Director of Legal Services, which regulates law practices in Singapore, has been actively auditing firms to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering protocols.
Chan’s case has been scheduled for a further mention on August 13. If convicted of forgery, she faces a potential sentence of up to four years in jail, a fine, or both. As the legal process unfolds, the case serves as a reminder of the rigorous efforts by Singaporean authorities to hold professionals accountable for their role in the integrity of the property market and the broader financial system.