SINGAPORE: Singapore police are investigating a company linked to two entrepreneurs trying to buy Newcastle United after an accounting firm lodged a police report over unauthorised signatures on the group's financial statements.
The two Singaporean entrepreneurs, cousins Terence and Nelson Loh, head the Bellagraph Nova Group along with a Chinese business partner.
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The group's bid to buy the English Premier League football club hit a snag after reports emerged last month of manipulated photos purporting to show former US president Barack Obama in a meeting with its founders in Paris, among other inconsistent claims.
Ernst and Young said on Saturday (Sep 19) it was never the auditors of Novena Global Health Group that was incorporated in the Cayman Islands.
READ: Former US ambassador quits Singapore firm linked to Newcastle United bidders
READ: Company in Newcastle United takeover bid admits it doctored Obama photo
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"Ernst & Young LLP were the auditors of Novena Global Healthcare Pte Ltd (a Singapore incorporated company), a subsidiary of Novena Global Healthcare Group, for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2017," a spokesperson said.
"We were not appointed as auditors of and did not sign off on the financial statements of Novena Global Healthcare Pte Ltd for any subsequent years."
The police confirmed that a report was lodged and said they were looking into the matter.
The Novena Global Healthcare Group is owned by the Lohs, according to the Straits Times.
Terence Loh denied any wrongdoing through his lawyer, the newspaper reported.
AFP has reached out to Terence and Nelson Loh for comment.
BN Group's bid came after a Saudi-backed consortium withdrew its offer to buy Newcastle in late July, following a months-long wait for Premier League approval.
