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Feds offer $5 million reward for info on fugitive shipowner

Written by Nick Blenkey
Kwek Kee Seng

Kwek Kee Seng: Wanted, sanctioned and now the subject of a reward offer [Photo: Rewards for Justice program]

The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information on Kwek Kee Seng, a Singaporean national and director of the Singapore-based shipping agency and terminal operations company known as Swanseas Port Services (S) Pte Ltd.

According to the U.S., Kwek has engaged in an extensive scheme to evade U.S. and U.N. sanctions by covertly transporting fuel to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, in violation of U.S. law.

“Kwek Kee Seng has directed the delivery of petroleum products directly to the DPRK as well as ship-to-ship transfers of fuel destined for the DPRK using one of Kwek’s oil tankers, the M/T Courageous,” says the State Department. “Kwek and his co-conspirators sought to obscure their identities and activities by conducting financial transactions through a series of shell companies. He directed payments in U.S. dollars that were routed from his shell companies based in Panama, Singapore, and elsewhere, and through U.S. banks to pay for oil, the M/T Courageous, services and materials for the vessel, and salaries for crewmembers. These transactions violated the prohibition of the export of financial services for the benefit of the DPRK.”

ARREST WARRANT

As we reported earlier, on April 23, 2021, a U.S. federal arrest warrant was issued for Kwek Kee Seng in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, after he was charged with Conspiracy to Violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and Conspiracy to Commit International Money Laundering. He remains at large.

SANCTIONS

On October 7, 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Kwek and Swanseas Port Services Pte. Ltd. pursuant to E.O. 13810 for activities related to the exportation of petroleum to the DPRK, which directly supports the development of DPRK weapons programs and its military.

  • More on the reward offer HERE
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