A 23-year-old Malaysian man who claimed to be a badminton player was charged on May 28, 2026, for allegedly acting as a money mule in Singapore.

Lianhe Zaobao reported that Kuberan Panneer Selvan was charged at the State Courts with one count of violating the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992.

S$39,000 in cash

Charge sheets seen by Mothership showed that between Mar. 9, 2026, and Mar. 18, 2026, the accused had allegedly collected at least S$39,000 in cash from residents in Singapore.

This was said to have been done in an arrangement with unknown persons.

In addition, charge sheets stated that he allegedly had reasonable grounds to believe that, in doing so, he was helping the unknown persons facilitate criminal conduct.

It added that he reportedly knew the unknown persons were engaging in criminal conduct.

Claimed to be badminton player

Zaobao reported that the accused claimed to be a badminton player during a video conference.

He had apparently competed in a Malaysian badminton championship in 2019, but Zaobao reported that there was no information about his supposed badminton achievements online.

Arguing that he had been tricked into the job, the accused claimed to have sensed something was amiss during his first meeting with a "client" and wanted to leave.

However, he was then allegedly threatened with arson and having eggs thrown at his home, according to Zaobao.

The accused added that after meetings with additional clients, he left and went to teach badminton in South Korea through a coach he knew.

Denied bail

Despite reportedly not having a fixed address in Singapore, he claimed to have friends who could help with bail and hoped to be granted bail, Zaobao reported.

The prosecution argued, however, that he posed a high risk of absconding.

As such, they opposed the accused being released on bail and requested that the case be postponed to allow the investigation to be completed.

Zaobao reported that the judge granted the prosecution's application to adjourn the case to Jun. 25 and ordered that the accused be denied bail.

If convicted, he could be fined up to S$500,000, jailed for up to 10 years, or both, or given up to 12 strokes of the cane.