6 Law Firms Named in Singapore’s $3 Billion Money Laundering Case Tied to Property Transactions

In one of Singapore’s biggest financial crime cases, six law firms have been named for their roles in handling property transactions linked to a $3 billion money laundering operation. The Ministry of Law (MinLaw) has released new details following the conclusion of investigations into these firms and lawyers involved in conveyancing of the seized properties.

Which Law Firms Were Involved?

Four firms were penalised for breaching anti-money laundering (AML) obligations:

• Anthony Law Corporation – Fined S$100,000

• Fortis Law Corporation – Fined S$30,000

• Legal Solutions LLC – Fined S$70,000

• Malkin & Maxwell LLP – Officially reprimanded

Two more law firms were named and reprimanded:

• William Poh & Louis Lim (now Louis Lim & Partners)

• Templars Law LLC

In total, five lawyers from these firms were referred to the Law Society of Singapore for potential disciplinary proceedings. These lawyers were directly involved in the conveyancing of high-value real estate allegedly purchased with illicit funds.

What Did They Do Wrong?

These firms failed to:

• Conduct proper due diligence on the source of funds

• Investigate suspicious third-party payments

• Document reasons for continuing transactions after filing Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs)

• Apply adequate risk mitigation measures

For example, Anthony Law Corporation handled 25 property deals worth S$135 million but did not verify how unrelated third parties were funding the purchases. Fortis Law dealt with 55 properties valued at S$398.7 million, failing to confirm remittance sources.

Even after submitting STRs, some firms continued to act for clients without documenting justification or taking extra precautions.

Referred Lawyers

The five named lawyers are:

• Tan Chau Chuang

• Andrew Wong Wei Kiat

• Tan Tse Chia Patrick

• Ee Tian Huat Patrick

• Poh Tian Hock William

They now face further investigations and potential disciplinary action from the Law Society.

What This Means for Property Professionals

This case is a wake-up call for the legal and real estate sectors. Lawyers, agents, and developers dealing with high-value property transactions must go beyond basic compliance.

MinLaw’s message is firm: AML checks are not optional.

It’s not just about ticking boxes. Verifying the true source of funds, identifying red flags, and documenting internal decision-making is now a baseline requirement — especially when dealing with foreign buyers, luxury assets, or opaque ownership structures.

AML Compliance Is Everyone’s Responsibility

Whether you’re a conveyancing lawyer, a real estate agent, or a developer, it’s crucial to:

• Vet your clients properly

• Document your due diligence steps

• File STRs where appropriate

• Refuse or exit deals if they present too much AML risk

Singapore’s reputation as a clean and trusted financial hub depends on professional vigilance across the board.