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Singaporean Actor Allegedly Present at Nanning Pyramid Scheme Event Amid Chinese Crackdown
A 2026 probe into a Nanning pyramid scheme has raised eyebrows after Singaporean witnesses reported seeing a local actor among the alleged crooks.
On 6 September 2026, Shin Min Daily News said it had reached out to several Singaporeans who had attended meetings of an alleged pyramid scheme in Nanning, Guangxi province. Respondents confirmed that they observed a number of successful individuals—including a few people described as celebrities—at the gatherings.
One of the witnesses, a livestreamer known online as Zheng, travelled to Nanning in 2025 for five days with a friend. She was taken to view development projects and attended dinners and business banquets. In her account, she noted that a local actor was present at one of the events.
Another witness, a woman named Chen, had visited China in 2019 as part of a Nanning business inspection tour. She recalled seeing the same actor at a networking meal where he was introduced as a Singaporean actor. Chen said she was wary of the scheme and told the person she had no money, but her friend paid the membership fee on her behalf. She later spotted the actor again at a membership induction ceremony and noted that he appeared to be in a leadership role, though she could not confirm his exact position.
These reports come in the wake of a statement from Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on 4 September. The MFA and SPF said that 52 Singaporeans had been arrested by Chinese authorities in Guangxi over alleged involvement in pyramid‑scheme activities.
Shin Min said it had reached out to the actor via social media but received no reply. The actor’s profile on the platform lists him as a “Singapore retired entrepreneur” and frequently features posts about workout routines and trips to China. In 2025 he posted a photo from Nanning with the caption “just a second‑tier city.”
AsiaOne has also contacted the actor for comment.
The alleged scheme has been described as a pyramid scheme, a fraudulent business model in which participants earn money primarily by recruiting new members rather than selling products or services to end consumers. Such schemes are illegal in many jurisdictions, including China and Singapore.
Nanning, the capital of Guangxi, is a commercial and cultural hub in southern China. It has been the focus of a long‑running investment scheme that has attracted foreign participants for more than a decade.
The crackdown by Chinese authorities, which led to the arrests of 52 Singaporeans, is part of a broader effort to clamp down on pyramid‑scheme operations in the region. The Singaporean government has been working with its Chinese counterparts to investigate the case and provide consular assistance to detained nationals.
The incident raises questions about the extent of cross‑border financial fraud involving Singaporean citizens and the role of public figures in such schemes. While the actor’s involvement has not been confirmed, the sightings reported by multiple witnesses suggest that he was present at several events associated with the alleged pyramid scheme.
At present, no formal charges have been announced against the actor, and the Singaporean authorities have not released further details about the investigation. The MFA and SPF have continued to monitor the situation and are coordinating with Chinese law‑enforcement agencies.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Singaporean citizens who travel abroad for business or investment opportunities. It also underscores the importance of due diligence and the risks associated with high‑profile networking events that may serve as fronts for illicit schemes.
As the investigation proceeds, Singaporean officials are expected to provide updates on any legal actions taken against the arrested individuals and on the status of any other Singaporeans who may have been involved. The MFA and SPF have reiterated their commitment to protecting Singaporean nationals abroad and to cooperating with foreign partners to address transnational fraud.
The broader implications for Singapore‑China business relations remain to be seen, but the incident serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in cross‑border investment activities.
On 6 September 2026, Shin Min Daily News said it had reached out to several Singaporeans who had attended meetings of an alleged pyramid scheme in Nanning, Guangxi province. Respondents confirmed that they observed a number of successful individuals—including a few people described as celebrities—at the gatherings.
One of the witnesses, a livestreamer known online as Zheng, travelled to Nanning in 2025 for five days with a friend. She was taken to view development projects and attended dinners and business banquets. In her account, she noted that a local actor was present at one of the events.
Another witness, a woman named Chen, had visited China in 2019 as part of a Nanning business inspection tour. She recalled seeing the same actor at a networking meal where he was introduced as a Singaporean actor. Chen said she was wary of the scheme and told the person she had no money, but her friend paid the membership fee on her behalf. She later spotted the actor again at a membership induction ceremony and noted that he appeared to be in a leadership role, though she could not confirm his exact position.
These reports come in the wake of a statement from Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on 4 September. The MFA and SPF said that 52 Singaporeans had been arrested by Chinese authorities in Guangxi over alleged involvement in pyramid‑scheme activities.
Shin Min said it had reached out to the actor via social media but received no reply. The actor’s profile on the platform lists him as a “Singapore retired entrepreneur” and frequently features posts about workout routines and trips to China. In 2025 he posted a photo from Nanning with the caption “just a second‑tier city.”
AsiaOne has also contacted the actor for comment.
The alleged scheme has been described as a pyramid scheme, a fraudulent business model in which participants earn money primarily by recruiting new members rather than selling products or services to end consumers. Such schemes are illegal in many jurisdictions, including China and Singapore.
Nanning, the capital of Guangxi, is a commercial and cultural hub in southern China. It has been the focus of a long‑running investment scheme that has attracted foreign participants for more than a decade.
The crackdown by Chinese authorities, which led to the arrests of 52 Singaporeans, is part of a broader effort to clamp down on pyramid‑scheme operations in the region. The Singaporean government has been working with its Chinese counterparts to investigate the case and provide consular assistance to detained nationals.
The incident raises questions about the extent of cross‑border financial fraud involving Singaporean citizens and the role of public figures in such schemes. While the actor’s involvement has not been confirmed, the sightings reported by multiple witnesses suggest that he was present at several events associated with the alleged pyramid scheme.
At present, no formal charges have been announced against the actor, and the Singaporean authorities have not released further details about the investigation. The MFA and SPF have continued to monitor the situation and are coordinating with Chinese law‑enforcement agencies.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Singaporean citizens who travel abroad for business or investment opportunities. It also underscores the importance of due diligence and the risks associated with high‑profile networking events that may serve as fronts for illicit schemes.
As the investigation proceeds, Singaporean officials are expected to provide updates on any legal actions taken against the arrested individuals and on the status of any other Singaporeans who may have been involved. The MFA and SPF have reiterated their commitment to protecting Singaporean nationals abroad and to cooperating with foreign partners to address transnational fraud.
The broader implications for Singapore‑China business relations remain to be seen, but the incident serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in cross‑border investment activities.
