The star of the popular Netflix reality show Super Rich In Korea, David Yong, has found himself in more trouble with Singapore authorities, who handed him two fresh fraud charges on Thursday.
The 37-year-old Singaporean businessman was one of the “super rich” personalities on the show, alongside influencer Yoo Hee-ra, Iraq-born YouTuber and influencer Noor Naim and Italian Teodoro Marani, whose father is the chief executive and designer behind the luxury fashion label Henry Beguelin.
Yong, the chief executive officer of multinational Evergreen Group Holdings, was charged on Thursday in a district court for abetting a woman, identified as Jolene Low Mong Han, in falsifying papers from Evergreen GH with the intent to defraud.
Court documents referred to Yong as Yong Khung Lin, and said that in December 2021, as an officer of Evergreen GH, one of the companies under Evergreen Group Holdings, he allegedly instigated Low to falsify two tax invoices issued by Evergreen Assets Management in May and October 2021.
The invoices were for furniture sales to Evergreen Venture Capital and furniture sales and interior design services to Tay Ai Chern Pearlrie.
Super Rich In Korea, a six-part series released on the streaming service on May 7, showcased the extravagant lives of some of Seoul’s top 1 per cent, who made the city their second home due to their love for Korean culture.
The show featured Yong living in a rented flat at the opulent Signiel Seoul Hotel, where he had a butler, in-room dining service, a virtual golf facility and valet parking. Yong travels by private jet in the show and talks about his four-storey villa home in Singapore, complete with a lift and swimming pool.
Singapore media reported that Yong was first charged on August 3 for instigating Low to falsify a tax invoice dated September 1, 2021, that was issued by Evergreen Assets Management. The invoice was for bulk sales of household fittings and appliances to a Roy Teo.
Yong has been in remand since Saturday. On Thursday, his lawyer Sunil Sudheesan from Quahe Woo & Palmer argued for bail and access to his client but was denied both.
The Singapore police said on Saturday that its Commercial Affairs Department was investigating Evergreen Group Holdings’ business activities for fraud.
Evergreen Group Holdings includes Evergreen Grp Holdings, Evergreen GH, formerly known as Evergreen Assets Management (Singapore), Everventures and other companies.
The police said that various companies under Evergreen Group Holdings were raising funds through the issuance of promissory notes that promised an annual interest of 10 per cent.
“Investigations arose due to the suspicion that investor monies were misused. In addition, these promissory notes may have been issued in contravention of the Securities and Futures Act,” the police added.
Other than Yong, the police said they had arrested another 37-year-old man from the company’s management in relation to the investigation.
If convicted of abetting the falsification of invoices, Yong faces up to 10 years’ jail, a fine, or both per charge.
Yong’s case is scheduled to be heard next on August 15.
