https://propakistani.pk/2025/11/06/150-million-year-old-dinosaur-skeletons-seized-in-money-laundering-case/

Rare dinosaur fossils valued at more than £12 million have been seized following a settlement between a Singapore-based Chinese businessman, Su Binghai, and the National Crime Agency (NCA).

The fossils, which date back to the Jurassic period, include the skeletons of two allosauruses and one stegosaurus, estimated to be around 150 million years old.

At a recent court hearing, an NCA lawyer confirmed that the fossils were recovered from Su and his company, Su Empire Limited, under the Proceeds of Crime Act. This legislation allows authorities to seize assets believed to have been acquired unlawfully, even in the absence of a criminal conviction.

The case, initiated as a civil recovery investigation by the NCA, did not include any specific details about the allegations against Su. However, the NCA did reveal that as part of the settlement, Su would forfeit three complete fossilized dinosaur skeletons, nine luxury apartments in London valued at £15 million, and 11 Chinese artworks.

Despite this, he is entitled to 25 percent of the proceeds from the sales. Su’s legal representatives declined to comment following the court proceedings.

These fossils were purchased last year at Christie’s Jurassic Icons auction for £12.4 million. The sale marked Christie’s first offering of dinosaur skeletons at their King Street auction house.

The lot featured the iconic stegosaurus with its distinct tail spikes and armoured plates, alongside two allosauruses, fierce carnivorous dinosaurs. The fossils were unearthed in the Meilyn quarry in Wyoming, found in close proximity to each other and described as having a striking black hue.

In addition to the dinosaur skeletons, the NCA also seized 11 Chinese artworks that were acquired at auction in 2022 for over £400,000.

As part of the settlement, Su agreed to a “full and final settlement of all claims,” according to court documents obtained by Reuters. The NCA confirmed that the recovered fossils are currently stored in a London facility.

Judge Gavin Mansfield remarked during the hearing, “I doubt that any of us will be dealing with one of these again.”

Su had also been linked to Singapore’s largest money laundering case in 2023, which led to the conviction and imprisonment of at least 10 individuals. Authorities seized a range of assets, including cash, real estate, cryptocurrency, and valuables totaling approximately three billion Singapore dollars.

These assets were tied to criminal activities like online scams and gambling. Although an Interpol notice was initially issued for Su, it was later rescinded after he and his wife agreed to a deal with the authorities, which included surrendering their passports.