Singapore adds charges to suspects in Nvidia chip transportation

Singaporean authorities on Thursday tabled new charges for three men allegedly linked to computer servers exported to Malaysia that might contain Nvidia chips.

The case is part of an investigation into 22 individuals and companies suspected of making false statements, amid concerns that AI chip smuggling into China may involve countries such as Singapore.

Singaporean officials said some servers contained Nvidia chips, but did not confirm whether the chips violated US export controls.

Two Singaporeans suspects - Aaron Woon Guo Jie, 40, and Alan Wei Zhaolun, 48, were each handed a second fraud charge. They are accused of committing fraud on Supermicro, a US-headquartered supplier of servers, by fraudulently making a false representation that the items would not be transferred to a person other than the authorized ultimate consignee of end users.

Singapore said the servers were sent to Malaysia, while Malaysia said it is investigating whether the shipment violated domestic laws.

The third suspect in the case is a Chinese national, Li Ming, 51. He was also charged in February 2025 and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, March 6.

Police have seized 42 devices including phones, computers and laptops for investigation. Prosecutors said the investigation is still in the preliminary stage. Police will cooperate with foreign law enforcement agencies to trace the cash flow.