When Singapore police executed simultaneous raids on premises across the city-state as part of a money laundering investigation last month, they seized more than a billion dollars' worth of property and assets. Along with cash, luxury cars, designer handbags, wine, jewellery and watches was a collection of about 60 colourful, mostly plastic figurines in the shape of a pot-bellied bear. Limited edition runs of Bearbricks — produced by a Japanese toy company often in collaboration with well-known designers and brands — are much-sought after by collectors and fashionistas. High-value, easily transportable and unregulated, they're also an ideal vehicle for money...