Buntono, 49, the owner of the Eminent Frog Porridge restaurant in Geylang, was charged on July 3, 2026, with evading about S$3.8 million in taxes, authorities announced [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The charges cover approximately S$2 million in income tax and nearly S$1.8 million in Goods and Services Tax (GST) evasion from 2016 to 2024 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
He faces a total of 30 charges, including 27 tax-related offences and three counts of money laundering [2, 3, 4, 5]. The investigations revealed that Buntono underdeclared trade income to conceal his obligation to register for GST and failed to maintain sufficient business records [1, 5]. Under Singapore law, businesses must register for GST if their taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million annually; failure to do so leads to liability for back taxes and penalties [1, 4, 5].
The money laundering counts allege possession of benefits linked to the tax evasion, including over S$2.4 million in cash, a Lamborghini Aventador, and a landed property on Brockhampton Drive in Serangoon Gardens [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Penalties for money laundering in Singapore include up to 10 years in prison and fines up to S$500,000 per offence [2, 3, 4, 5].
The case was uncovered through a joint investigation by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) and the Singapore Police Force’s Commercial Affairs Department [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Authorities have scheduled a court mention for Buntono’s case in August 2026 [2, 3, 4].
