33 suspected of running illegal gambling services; assets worth $45.5 million frozen

An array of computers, mobile phones, fax machines and cash amounting to about $1.3 million were seized as case exhibits during the operation, along with other documents such as betting records. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
An array of computers, mobile phones, fax machines and cash amounting to about $1.3 million were seized as case exhibits during the operation, along with other documents such as betting records. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE

SINGAPORE - More than 30 suspects involved in illegal remote gambling services were arrested on Sunday (Nov 27) , police said.

The suspects' accounts and properties worth tens of millions are to be frozen, police said.

In one of the largest police operations against a criminal syndicate, raids at more than 30 places, from Choa Chu Kang to Tampines, were conducted at the same time.

A total of 24 men and nine women, aged between 24 and 69, were arrested. They are suspected members of a gang providing illegal remote gambling services.

Police seized cash amounting to about $1.3 million, an array of computers, mobile phones, fax machines and other documents such as betting records.

The Police also initiated the freezing of the suspects' bank accounts, with cash amounting to about $6.5 million, and 36 properties with an estimated value of $39 million.

The syndicate operated several illegal online betting websites facilitating lottery and horse betting, police said.

It had networks of agents and punters betting through the syndicate's websites.

The suspects are believed to have received bets amounting to more than an estimated $2 million in the past month.

Investigations against all the suspects are ongoing.

A person found guilty of being a member of a locally linked organised criminal group can be fined up to $100,000 and/or jailed up to five years.

If found guilty of operating a Singapore-based remote gambling service, he or she can be fined between $20,000 and $500,000 and/or be jailed up to seven years.

Deputy Commissioner of Police and Director of the Criminal Investigation Department Tan Chye Hee said: "Organised criminal groups are involved in serious criminal activities such as unlawful remote gambling and can pose a serious threat to Singapore's safety and security... We will spare no efforts to disrupt and dismantle these organised criminal groups and deprive them of their ill-gotten gains."

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.