A 27-year-old woman, Cloey Tan Wan Qi, has been fined S$18,000 after she was found guilty of fraudulent evasion of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on luxury items purchased during her trip to Europe. This case has not only raised eyebrows due to the expensive purchases but also for Tan’s audacity to share tips on evading GST on social media.
Details of the Offence
Tan returned to Singapore from a family holiday in May 2024, where she visited the Netherlands and Belgium, amassing over S$25,000 worth of luxury items. These included:
- Five luxury bags from renowned brands like Christian Dior and Gucci
- Two luxury wallets
- One pair of Michael Kors shoes
- A diamond engagement ring
Despite knowing that her purchases exceeded the GST import relief entitlement, Tan exited the arrival hall using the Green Channel at Changi Airport without declaring her goods. The total GST evaded was S$2,281.58, which Singapore Customs has since recovered.
Public Sharing of Misconduct
In a curious turn of events, Tan later took to social media, sharing details about her shopping spree and how to avoid paying GST. One of her posts on the platform Lemon8 included a title that read, “Six tips on how to smuggle luxury goods and avoid detection by Customs.” Such publicity drew the attention of the authorities, resulting in her arrest in January 2025.
Court Proceedings and Penalties
On 27 March 2024, during court proceedings, District Judge Eddy Tham highlighted Tan’s blatant disregard for the law, emphasising her lack of remorse in publicising her actions. While prosecutors sought a fine between S$16,000 and S$17,000, she eventually faced a penalty of S$18,000 after pleading guilty.
Tan expressed regret, stating, “I have not only disappointed myself but my parents too, who have placed a lot of hope on their only child.” Her case comes on the heels of reports indicating that over 13,000 travellers have been fined for similar offences since January 2024, collectively amassing fines exceeding S$3.4 million.
A Reminder from Authorities
Singapore Customs reiterated the importance of declaring goods and adhering to regulations, stating, “This revenue belongs to Singapore, and its collection is essential to maintaining a level playing field for local businesses that pay these taxes.” According to the Customs Act, individuals found guilty of evading duties can face fines up to 20 times the amount evaded, a prison sentence of up to two years, or both.