In a significant operation, UK authorities have confiscated £12.4 million worth of dinosaur skeletons, luxury apartments, and valuable Chinese artworks from Singaporean businessman Su Binghai, who is linked to a global money laundering investigation.
On November 5, the National Crime Agency (NCA) secured the forfeiture of these assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act at the High Court in London. Among the seized items are two Allosaurus skeletons and a Stegosaurus skeleton, which Su purchased through Christie’s auction house last year.
In addition to the dinosaur skeletons, the authorities seized nine luxury apartments in Westminster, valued at £18 million, along with eleven Chinese artworks worth £400,000.
Su is reportedly the central figure in a £2.5 billion money laundering investigation in Singapore, where ten foreign nationals are already in jail and barred from the country. Su and his company, Su Empire Limited, are facing charges in the case, with his wife also implicated.
In August 2023, Su and his wife fled Singapore after surrendering assets worth over £240 million, including luxury vehicles like Rolls-Royces and Ferraris. The court has ruled that Su will only be able to receive a quarter of the sales proceeds from his seized assets and must also pay £343,000 in rental income.
Christie’s auction house, which facilitated the sale of the skeletons, has stated that it followed all necessary anti-money laundering protocols and fully cooperated with law enforcement.
