The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has successfully concluded a significant asset recovery action, securing millions of pounds worth of high-value property from Singaporean businessman Su Binghai and his company, Su Empire. The comprehensive settlement, confirmed on November 5, 2025, involves a striking portfolio of items ranging from prime London real estate and Chinese artworks to museum-quality prehistoric fossils.
The agreement, executed under the Proceeds of Crime Act, allows authorities to reclaim assets suspected of being acquired through illicit means without requiring a prior criminal conviction. This civil recovery mechanism underscores the U.K.’s aggressive strategy to disrupt global financial crime networks.
Fossilized Giants Headline Recovery
The crown jewel of the recovered assets is a trio of extraordinary late Jurassic-era dinosaur skeletons, acquired in a 2024 Christie’s auction for £12.4 million. These dramatic specimens—two Allosaurus skeletons and one Stegosaurus—are estimated to be 150 million years old. Their impressive scale and visibility in photographs have made them the most identifiable components of the settlement, highlighting the unusual intersection of paleontology and criminal justice.
In addition to the prehistoric giants, the seizure includes a substantial collection of cultural artifacts. Authorities recovered 11 Chinese artworks that Su purchased at auction in 2022 for over £400,000, broadening the scope of the unlawfully acquired collection.
Global Footprint of Illicit Wealth
The settlement also addressed the defendant’s international property holdings, encompassing nine apartments situated in central London. The inclusion of these properties reflects how sophisticated financial mechanisms often channel alleged criminal proceeds into highly liquid, tangible assets across global financial hubs.
While the NCA has not publicly detailed the original allegations that initiated the recovery proceedings, the agency confirmed that the action leverages civil powers specifically designed to strip illicit wealth from circulation. This approach provides a powerful, often faster, alternative to lengthy and complex criminal prosecutions.
Key Components of the Recovered Assets:
- Prehistoric Fossils: Two Allosaurus and one Stegosaurus skeleton (£12.4 million purchase price).
- Artworks: Eleven Chinese artworks acquired in 2022 (over £400,000 purchase price).
- Real Estate: Nine separate residential apartments located in London.
Implications of Civil Asset Recovery
Under the terms of the court order, the assets will be liquidated. A quarter of the final proceeds from the sale will be funneled into a bank account nominated by Mr. Su. The remaining majority of the funds will be directed according to the U.K.’s stringent asset recovery framework, often benefiting public services or crime-fighting initiatives.
This case is notable for the sheer diversity and high cultural value of the assets involved. The simultaneous recovery of central London prime property, significant fine art, and museum-grade natural history specimens illustrates the complex financial trails left by alleged criminal enterprises.
The recovery sends a strong message that U.K. authorities are increasingly adept at using civil litigation to disrupt and dismantle suspected criminal proceeds, regardless of whether those assets are held in traditional accounts or are embodied in rare cultural and scientific items worldwide. As global wealth becomes increasingly mobile, the continued application of civil tools like the Proceeds of Crime Act remains a vital strategy for international financial integrity.