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‘Massive’ forgery helped hide $3bn hole in energy trader’s accounts

The two-month investigation found the group overstated assets and pointed to a $2.23bn shortfall in payments due from customers, while inventory stockpiles were apparently inflated by $812m

distressed energy-trading company overstated its assets by more than $3bn using “routine and pervasive” forgery, while its founder oversaw years of disastrous bets on oil derivatives, a report filed with a Singapore court said.

The study by interim judicial managers, or court-appointed independent administrators, offers the first detailed account of the implosion of Hin Leong Trading, a closely held Singapore company that owes $3.5bn — mostly to banks, including HSBC Holdings.

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