52 Singaporeans detained in China over suspected pyramid scheme, insiders claim Singapore actor attended events
52 Singaporeans have been arrested in China following a law enforcement operation targeting suspected pyramid scheme activities.
People who previously encountered the alleged scheme have now claimed that local artistes were present at some Nanning dinners and events.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on 4 Sept that Chinese authorities informed it of the 52 arrests in Guangxi.
MFA said it is providing consular assistance to the Singaporeans and their families.
Source: Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Facebook
Insiders claim Singaporean artiste attended Nanning events
A 38-year-old livestreamer, Ms Zheng, told Shin Min Daily News that she travelled to Nanning with a friend last year.
The five-day trip included visits to development projects, business dinners and other activities.
She claimed she saw a Singaporean male artiste at one of the events.
Ms Zheng also said one of the people who introduced her to the scheme had sent her photographs showing other Singaporean artistes at activities.
Source: Johor China Press
Another woman, Ms Chen, had travelled to China in 2019 for what was described as a “Nanning business inspection tour”.
She said successful Singaporeans and people with social standing were introduced during dinners, Shin Min reported.
Ms Chen also claimed she saw the same Singaporean male artiste.
“Although it was so long ago, I still remember because someone specifically introduced the man as a Singaporean artiste,” she said.
Woman claims she saw artiste at Nanning pyramid scheme membership ceremony
Ms Chen said she became suspicious of the programme and eventually told her contact she did not have money to join.
A friend later paid the membership fee on her behalf, according to her account.
She said the company subsequently held a membership ceremony, where she again saw the same artiste.
“I remember he seemed to be one of the people in charge of the ceremony, but I’m not sure what his exact position was,” she said.
Source: Friendly Nanning on Facebook, for illustrative purposes only
On the artiste’s social media profile, it describes him as a “Singapore retired entrepreneur”.
He has also shared posts about travelling in China. In a 2025 Instagram post, the artiste wrote that Nanning is “just a second-tier city”.
MFA warns Singaporeans about investment schemes
In a Facebook post published on 5 Sept, MFA urged Singaporeans to exercise caution when considering business or investment schemes, both overseas and locally.
It specifically warned against schemes involving recruitment, substantial upfront payments or promises of unusually high returns.
Singaporeans travelling or living overseas should also abide by the laws of the country they are in, MFA said.
The ministry added that it would continue providing consular assistance while respecting China’s judicial process and investigations.
Tan Kin Lian explains how pyramid schemes operate
In a Facebook post on 8 Sept, businessman Tan Kin Lian said the Nanning pyramid scheme is commonly linked to the “1040 Sunshine Project” or “pure capital operation”.
He said such schemes typically approach people through acquaintances, friends or relatives, sometimes under the guise of holidays, business trips or investment opportunities.
Participants may then be asked to make substantial upfront payments and told they can earn large returns by recruiting others.
Mr Tan also warned that participants can be subjected to prolonged presentations and other high-pressure tactics.
Chinese authorities have not yet announced the outcome of their investigation into the 52 Singaporeans.
MS News has reached out to the two actors.
Also read: 52 S’poreans arrested in China over suspected pyramid scheme, MFA providing assistance to them
52 S’poreans arrested in China over suspected pyramid scheme, MFA providing assistance to them
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Featured image adapted from Johor China Press and Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Facebook.
