Businessman Raymond Ng Faces Cheating Trial Over Vending Machine Investment Scheme
Businessman Raymond Ng Kai Hoe is currently on trial in Singapore, facing charges for allegedly cheating six individuals of S$25,000 through his company, Candle Consulting. The case centers on deceptive promises regarding co-ownership of coffee vending machines. Proceedings are expected to continue throughout the week.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1 MIN READ- Businessman Raymond Ng Kai Hoe is on trial for six counts of cheating involving S$25,000.
- The charges relate to misleading individuals into investing in coffee vending machines through his company, Candle Consulting.
- The defendant is representing himself in the five-day trial currently underway at the Singapore State Courts.
- If convicted, Ng could face up to 10 years in prison and fines for each charge of cheating.
A high-profile cheating trial has commenced in Singapore, involving Raymond Ng Kai Hoe, a 53-year-old businessman who serves as the sole director of Candle Consulting. The legal proceedings, which began on July 6, 2026, at the State Courts, focus on allegations that the defendant deceived six individuals into investing approximately S$25,000 for the purported co-ownership of coffee vending machines.
Details of the Cheating Trial
The current cheating trial stems from a series of incidents occurring between August 2019 and October 2020. During the opening of the case, the prosecution moved forward with six specific charges, while opting to temporarily stand down six additional counts from a larger set of allegations initially brought forward in February 2025. The total amount involved across all original charges reportedly neared S$61,000.
Raymond Ng Kai Hoe, who is representing himself in the proceedings, faced initial challenges regarding court etiquette from District Judge Lim Tse Haw, specifically regarding his request to sit at the Bar and his punctuality. The trial saw the first witness, Ms. How Kai Xin from the payments company Stripe, take the stand. The prosecution highlighted transaction records to demonstrate how payments were funneled through the platform to Candle Consulting. Much of the defense's cross-examination involved technical questions regarding the operational mechanics of the Stripe payment gateway, which were largely deemed outside the witness's expertise.
Broader Context and Future Proceedings
The defendant is also recognized as the spouse of Iris Koh, the founder of the anti-vaccine organization Healing the Divide, who is simultaneously navigating her own separate legal challenges related to COVID-19 vaccinations. As the cheating trial moves forward, the court is expected to hear testimonies from the alleged victims involved in the vending machine investment scheme. If convicted on any of the charges, Raymond Ng Kai Hoe faces potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment for up to 10 years per charge. The court has scheduled the trial to span five days, with additional testimonies anticipated in the coming sessions.
This case underscores the legal scrutiny surrounding business entities that utilize third-party payment processing services while facing allegations of misleading investors. The judicial process continues as the court rigorously evaluates evidence related to the financial transactions and the validity of the investments promoted by Candle Consulting.
