Ng Teck Lee, 59, and his wife Thor Chwee Hwa, 57, were arrested in Malaysia in December 2024 after evading Singaporean authorities for almost 20 years [1, 2, 3, 4]. Ng was the CEO of Citiraya Industries, a recycler of electronic waste for computer chip makers, during the time he allegedly committed the offences [1, 2, 3, 4].
Between April 2003 and November 2004, Ng is accused of misappropriating and selling uncrushed computer chips, earning over US$51 million (about S$72 million) [1, 2, 3, 4]. Authorities state he was entrusted with more than 113,000kg of electronic scrap from two companies, which he disposed of dishonestly in violation of Citiraya UK's contracts. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau and police said Ng "allegedly committed criminal breach of trust by dishonestly disposing these electronic scraps" [1].
Ng allegedly instructed employees not to crush the electronic scraps but to repackage and export them instead [1]. Police also allege Ng cheated a finance manager between November 2003 and January 2005 by understating the precious metal content in the scrap [1, 2, 3, 4].
Ng faces a total of 40 charges after 38 new ones were added on May 20, 2026. The new counts include corruption, theft, graft, criminal breach of trust, cheating, money laundering, and falsification of accounts [1, 2, 3, 4]. Previously, he had been charged with criminal breach of trust and graft [1, 2, 3, 4].
The tycoon allegedly gave bribes totalling $35,000 to three individuals between March 2003 and April 2004. Among these payments was $20,000 to a manager at another company as a reward for helping Citiraya win a recycling contract [1, 2, 3, 4]. Ng is also accused of instigating his brother to give bribes exceeding S$2 million to seven people from November 2003 to December 2004 [1, 2, 3, 4].
Authorities say Ng misappropriated over 89,000kg of electronic chips during 2003-2004, selling them in Hong Kong and Taiwan [1, 2, 3, 4].
The case remains active with Ng facing multiple serious charges related to the alleged embezzlement and corrupt practices spanning 2003 to 2005. The next court procedures are expected to address these charges in detail.
