A father and son who flew from China to confront a Malaysian businessman over an investment dispute were each sentenced to 10 weeks’ jail on 11 November 2026. Gao Yong, 50, and his son Gao Zhenhan, 25, both pleaded guilty to assaulting the 35-year-old man.
Father and Son Confronted Businessman at VivoCity
The pair arrived in Singapore on 14 October and looked for the businessman at his shop. They found him the following day at a basement food court in VivoCity, The Straits Times reported, citing court documents.
When the businessman headed to his car, Gao Yong chased him and pushed him inside. His son pinned the man against a seat to stop him from getting away. Both men punched him and demanded 200,000 yuan, equivalent to S$38,319 in court documents.
The businessman offered S$5,000 and then S$10,000. Gao Yong turned down both offers.
Two security officers approached the car, and the police were alerted. Officers arrested the pair shortly afterwards. Deputy Public Prosecutor Darren Ang said the businessman suffered superficial injuries to his face, neck and shoulders.
Pair Sold Family Car to Fund Investment
The two Chinese nationals had planned to open a shop in Singapore. In April, they contacted a Singaporean for help applying for work passes. That contact introduced Gao Zhenhan to the businessman, who was looking for investors.
Ang said the businessman invited the younger Gao to invest in a drinks shop at Kent Ridge Medical Centre. The pair sold their family car and took out bank loans to put at least S$18,000 into the business.
The businessman later told them he could not get work permits for them. He did not return their money.
