Singapore Charges Three Men in Alleged Nvidia Chip Smuggling Case
Singapore has charged three men with fraud in a case linked to the movement of Nvidia’s advanced AI chips to Chinese artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek, according to domestic media reports. The case is part of a broader investigation into possible AI chip smuggling to China, amid US restrictions on such exports.
Alleged Fraud in AI Chip Shipments
The United States is investigating whether DeepSeek, whose AI model made headlines in January, has used US-made chips that are restricted from being shipped to China. Singapore authorities are looking into 22 individuals and companies suspected of false representation, raising concerns about organised efforts to bypass export controls.
Broadcaster Channel News Asia reported that the case is linked to the alleged shipment of Nvidia chips from Singapore to DeepSeek, though the government has not confirmed this.
Fraud Charges and Investigations
The three individuals charged include:
- Aaron Woon Guo Jie, 41 (Singaporean)
- Alan Wei Zhaolun, 49 (Singaporean)
- Li Ming, 51 (Chinese national)
Court documents accuse Woon and Wei of fraudulently misrepresenting server shipments in 2024 by falsely stating that the goods would not be transferred beyond their authorised recipients. Li Ming is accused of a similar offence in 2023, falsely claiming that a Singapore-based company, Luxuriate Your Life Pte Ltd, would be the final user of certain items.
If convicted, the accused could face up to 20 years in jail, a fine, or both.
Singapore’s Enforcement of Export Controls
Singaporean authorities have not disclosed whether Nvidia or DeepSeek were directly involved in the case. However, police have confirmed that a joint operation with customs officers resulted in nine arrests and the seizure of documentary and electronic records from 22 locations.
Singapore is Nvidia’s second-largest market after the US, accounting for 18% of the chipmaker’s revenue. However, actual shipments to Singapore make up less than 2% of total revenue, as many customers use the country as an invoicing hub for international sales.
Last week, Singapore’s foreign minister reaffirmed the country’s commitment to enforcing multilateral export controls, warning against evasion, deception, and false declarations.
With the US tightening AI chip restrictions on China, scrutiny over global supply chains is expected to intensify, with Singapore positioning itself as a strict enforcer of trade regulations.
With inputs from Reuters
