Police nab 12 suspects from remote gambling syndicate

Police officers seized about $251,000 in cash, an array of computers, mobile phones and other documents such as betting records during the raids. PHOTO: SPF

SINGAPORE - Twelve men aged between 20 and 52 have been arrested on suspicion of providing remote gambling services.

In a statement on Sunday (June 26), the police said officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) conducted simultaneous raids at various locations yesterday in Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang, Orchard Road and Toh Yi Drive.

They seized about $251,000 in cash, an array of computers, mobile phones and other documents such as betting records.

Preliminary investigations revealed the suspects were believed to have received football bets of more than $200,000 in the past two weeks.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Said Superintendent Lawrence Eng, who heads the Specialised Crime Branch of CID: "The Police are determined to stamp out unlawful remote gambling and will persevere with our tough enforcement efforts against those who flout the law."

He advised the public not to place bets with illegal bookies and unauthorised operators, especially during the ongoing Euro 2016 football tournament.

Under the Remote Gambling Act, anyone convicted of providing unlawful remote gambling services for another will be fined between $20,000 and $200,000, jailed for up to five years, or receive a combination of the punishments.

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