About $1.25 million in cash was seized and 31 men arrested on Monday during a police operation against unlawful World Cup remote gambling.

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Police Intelligence Department and the Special Operations Command mounted simultaneous raids islandwide, said the Singapore Police Force yesterday. Among locations raided were Tampines, Ang Mo Kio, Chinatown, Balestier, Sengkang, Hougang, Bukit Batok, Boon Lay, Jalan Sultan, Sembawang and Orchard Road.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigation and Intelligence) Florence Chua said in a statement: "This operation was conducted as part of the police's ongoing efforts to stamp out unlawful remote gambling, especially during the ongoing Fifa World Cup 2018. Police take a serious view against such activities and will continue to take tough enforcement actions against those who flout the law, including those who assist remote gambling syndicates in any way."

The men arrested are aged between 22 and 74. They are believed to have placed and received illegal bets amounting to more than $4 million over the past fortnight. Besides cash, computers, cellphones and documents were also seized.

Investigations are ongoing. If convicted, the men face a jail term of up to five years, and a fine between $20,000 and $200,000.