Singapore police seize mansion linked to illicit Nvidia AI chip smugglers

Singaporean police have seized a luxury home worth about S$55 million (approx. $42.5 million) as part of an investigation into the alleged smuggling of Nvidia artificial intelligence (AI) chips, with authorities claiming that much of the property's purchase price was financed with criminal proceeds.

Investigators allege that at least two-thirds of the property's purchase price was funded through illicit earnings linked to the illegal trade in servers containing advanced Nvidia chips that are subject to US export controls, as local media reports.

The seizure forms part of a broader investigation into the alleged diversion of high-performance AI hardware. The US Department of Justice has previously identified Singapore as a key transit hub used to disguise unauthorized shipments of sensitive technology to China.

Police said a court order has been issued preventing the sale of the property while the investigation continues.

The residence is located near Singapore's renowned Botanic Gardens in one of the city-state's most exclusive residential districts.

Authorities said Wei Zhaolun, also known as Alan Wei, will face money laundering charges for allegedly using around S$38 million in criminal proceeds to finance the purchase of the home.

Wei is the chief executive of Aperia Group, a company that supplies servers and other technology hardware to businesses.

Investigators have also frozen approximately S$1 million held in bank accounts.

Police said four people, including Wei, have been charged since February 2025 over alleged fraud and other offenses connected to the case.

According to investigators, the suspects placed orders for servers from global suppliers while falsely claiming the equipment was intended for use by companies they represented.

The servers involved in the investigation were purchased from Dell Technologies, Super Micro Computer, and ASUS.

If convicted of fraud, the defendants could each face prison sentences of up to 20 years.

By Nazrin Sadigova