Jurassic Jackpot: Dinosaur fossils and London flats seized in landmark UK recovery for the National Crime Agency

In a striking use of the civil recovery regime under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has seized rare and high-value assets from Singapore based businessman Su Binghai, linked to a £2.5 billion money laundering investigation.

The recovered assets include three Jurassic-era dinosaur skeletons worth £12.4 million, eleven Chinese artworks, and nine high-value London apartments. The NCA secured a civil settlement with Su and his company, Su Empire Limited, allowing him to retain 25% of the sale proceeds of these properties.

This case, brought before the High Court in London, highlights the growing use of civil recovery tools, such as unexplained wealth orders (UWOs), to reclaim unlawfully acquired assets without the need for a criminal conviction. UWOs require individuals to explain how they acquired assets that are disproportionate to their legitimate wealth and are increasingly central to UK enforcement strategy and have seen increasing use since costs protections for agencies were introduced under Section 52 of the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022.

The case against Su, previously implicated in Singapore’s largest money laundering case, has become emblematic of the international reach of civil recovery powers. The dinosaur fossils, now stored in a London warehouse, demonstrate the wide scope of recoverable property, from luxury property and digital holdings to rare and unconventional items, showing the versatility of legal tools available to law enforcement agencies in reclaiming unlawfully acquired wealth.

At Burges Salmon, we specialise in navigating the complex terrain of civil fraud, financial crime, and asset recovery. Our team advises on the legal, technical and strategic dimensions of recovery, supporting clients through intricate proceedings including cross-border enforcement and unexplained wealth orders. Whether dealing with high-value property, digital assets or assets beyond the ordinary, we provide tailored guidance to help clients achieve effective and robust recovery outcomes.

If you’d like to discuss any issues or themes arising from this development, please contact Michael Ward or Rhiannon Price.