Singapore is investigating a fraud case involving Nvidia chips, which may have been supplied to servers used in the scam. Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam confirmed that the servers were supplied by US firms Dell Technologies and Super Micro Computer, and could potentially contain Nvidia’s advanced AI chips.
The case involves three men, including a Chinese national, who were charged with fraud last week. The incident has raised concerns about the smuggling of restricted AI chips to China. Singapore is working with US authorities to investigate whether the servers contained US export control items.
Nvidia’s AI chips are banned for export to China, and some Western AI entrepreneurs have alleged that DeepSeek, a Chinese company at the centre of the scandal, had access to thousands of these chips. However, Nvidia and DeepSeek have not commented on the allegations. The incident highlights concerns about the misuse of advanced technology in the global supply chain.
The US is also investigating whether DeepSeek has been using restricted AI chips that are not allowed to be shipped to China. Singapore’s investigation into the fraud case is part of a broader police probe into false representation and organised AI chip smuggling.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/technology/servers-used-singapore-fraud-case-may-contain-nvidia-chips-minister-says-2025-03-03