Activities conducted via Net; ringleader among 10 held in raids on HDB flats, condos
By
Carolyn Quek & Jalelah Abu Baker
Almost $115,000 in cash and items like desktop computers, laptops, thumb drives, ATM cards and cellphones were also seized. -- PHOTO: SPF
THE head of an illegal soccer betting syndicate was among 10 men nabbed on Monday afternoon - hours after the final whistle had signalled the end of the English Premier League (EPL) season.
The crackdown comes on the back of a rise in the number of people caught in Singapore for illegal gambling and betting activities, police figures show.
Last year, 1,566 people were arrested, up more than 50 per cent from 2007.
The syndicate crippled on Monday is believed to have conducted its illicit activities through the Internet.
Soccer bets were placed on a website, and financial transactions were made through bank transfers.
The men, all Singaporeans aged between 27 and 43, were picked up after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) raided several HDB flats and condominium units in Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Senoko and Yishun.
Besides the 28-year-old syndicate leader, bookies and punters were also arrested.
Almost $115,000 in cash and items like desktop computers, laptops, thumb drives, ATM cards and cellphones were also seized.
All suspects have been released on bail pending further investigations.
The police have mounted several sting operations against illegal soccer betting in recent years.
