SINGAPORE (Oct 21): A representative from Singapore Telecommunications has revealed that calls made through Malaysian phone numbers to Singapore are “traceable”.
Testifying at the trial of John Soh Chee Wen and Quah Su-Ling, the alleged masterminds behind the 2013 penny stock crash, prosecution witness Yeo Poh Meng shed light on the traceability of foreign calls made on Singtel’s network.
As Singtel’s Customer Service Executive Officer – a role she has held for more than 10 years – Yeo is responsible for responding to requests for call screenings and call tracings from law enforcement agencies.
In her conditioned statement, Yeo said she received requests from the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to screen certain phone numbers, individuals and entities, and furnish details of any calls and SMS messages, including both local and overseas communications.
Under cross-examination by Soh’s defence counsel led by senior counsel N Sreenivasan of K&L Gates Straits Law, Yeo could not clearly recall the date she received the requests from CAD and MAS. However, she said this was sometime in the second half of 2013.
The requests were then delegated to her subordinates in her six-member team. Yeo submitted the data to the authorities once it was obtained.
However, she stressed that none of the records provided by Singtel capture the contents of the SMS messages or phone calls made and received.
During cross-examination by Quah’s lawyer, Philip Fong of Eversheds Harry Elias, Yeo also revealed that she had no idea that her presence in court on Monday was to give evidence against Soh and Quah.
Earlier in the day, during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Loh Hui Min, Yeo was shown a set of tables and identified the columns corresponding to the customer’s phone number, time of call or message sent or received, duration of call or voice message, and the type of SIM card used for the call.
Yeo also referred to a document in Singtel’s monthly billing records that detailed calls made by the customer’s mobile number outside Singapore through the AutoRoam function.
Also taking the stand on Monday was Choo Lee Lee, an associate director at UOB Kay Hian’s Credit Control Department.
During examination-in-chief by DPP Loh, Choo elaborated on the broking house’s procedures in settling transactions, closing off cash accounts and doing know-your-customer (KYC) checks.
Choo also noted that the bank uses a certain “CARS” system, but could not recall what the acronym stood for.
Choo added that UOB Kay Hian’s compliance department sent out frequent circulars reminding trading representatives of the need to obtain third-party authorisation.
The trial resumes Tuesday, where the defence counsels will cross-examine Choo, particularly on the share price movements and trades done on Aug 26 and Sept 20, 2013.
What the 2013 Penny Stock Crash trial is about
John Soh Chee Wen is the alleged mastermind behind the penny stock crash of 2013, which prosecutors have called “the most audacious, extensive and injurious market manipulation scheme ever in Singapore”.
Together with his alleged co-conspirator and girlfriend Quah Su-Ling, Soh and his associates are alleged to have been behind the massive rise and sudden collapse of shares in Blumont Group, LionGold Corp and Asiasons Capital (now Attilan Group), which wiped out some $8 billion in market value.
Subscribers can click here to read our 8-page special pullout on the penny stock crash trial.
Don’t miss out on these highlights in the penny stock saga so far:
Second tranche of witnesses (starting Oct 1, 2019)
- John Soh trial resumes with a peek into deceit, betrayal in 'inner circle'
- Prosecution witness Ken Tai reveals more stock brokers involved in 'market rolling' web
- More tales of jealousy, betrayal emerge in penny stock trial
- Witness Ken Tai 'disgusted' by the way boss John Soh treated his closest allies
- Witness Ken Tai admits to market manipulation for his own gain after lengthy cross-examination
- IPCO office was 'admin centre' for penny stock scandal, witness reveals
- Prosecution witness reveals Quah Su-Ling seldom in IPCO office; says took instructions mostly from Goh Hin Calm
- CGS-CIMB, DBS Vickers deny knowledge of unauthorised third-party instructions
First tranche of witnesses (March 11, 2019 to May 24, 2019)
- John Soh, alleged mastermind behind penny stock crash arrested; to be charged on Friday
- John Soh, Quah Su-Ling and Goh Hin Calm set to be charged
- John Soh Chee Wen and Quah Su-Ling charged in largest market manipulation scheme in Singapore’s history
- Charges slapped on masterminds of penny stock scheme cast new light on old reports
- Prosecutors confirm links between ISR Capital and John Soh
- John Soh-linked ISR Capital’s CEO Quah Su Yin resigns
- Penny stock saga’s alleged mastermind John Soh denied bail; faces total of 188 charges
- John Soh could face longest-ever jail term for financial crime in Singapore
- John Soh's legal team from WongPartnership discharges itself
- John Soh's 'treasurer' Goh quits as interim CEO of IPCO
- Defence lawyers for alleged masterminds attempt to pin 2013 penny stock crash on forced selling
- 2013 penny stock crash case to go to trial
- Alleged 'treasurer' Goh Hin Calm to testify against Soh, Quah
- Penny stock crash scandal's 'treasurer' sentenced to three years' jail
- Goh Hin Calm confirmed as prosecution witness as penny stock crash trial kicks off
- The charismatic bankrupt who allegedly pulled the strings behind Singapore's largest stock manipulation scandal
- Inner workings of penny stock scandal revealed by first prosecution witness
- Prosecution witness coached by investigating officer, claims John Soh's lawyer
- Quah Su-Ling's lawyer accuses prosecution witness of 'inventing evidence', front-running
- Ex-remisier admits to conducting trades without third-party authorisation from account holders
- Ex-remisier Ng denies being coached; RHB trader Alex Chew admits to telling the whole truth only in third statement
- 'Fearful' prosecution witness admits even third statement might not have been the whole truth
- John Soh gave presentation on 'mothership' Blumont at LionGold's offices, says prosecution witness Andy Lee
- Prosecution witness Lee accused of lying and concealing facts in court
- New witness claims Quah Su-Ling was 'hysterical' when asked about settlement of losses
- More telephone records reveal Quah's hand behind trades; private bank Coutts wrote off $4.7 mil from penny stock crash
- Witness shocked by alleged breaches in trading regulations
- SGX restrictions could have caused 2013 penny stocks crash, says Lim & Tan director
- John Soh's former girlfriend had full control of bank account used in trading, court hears
- Quah's employee delivered cash payments for 8 accounts, court hears
- Witness cites 'clerical oversight' as defence alleges lack of anti-money laundering checks
- Ex-Maybank Kim Eng dealer admits Soh gave orders on trades in 3 accounts
- Counsels argue over how witnesses' conditioned statements were prepared and used
- Witnesses say John Soh, Quah Su-Ling directed 2013 stock manipulation trades
