SINGAPORE - The Singapore Police Force (SPF) was involved in an Interpol-led operation aimed at cracking down on illegal football gambling during this year's Uefa European Football Championship, which resulted in the arrest of close to 1,400 people in Asia and Europe and the interception of US$7.9 million (S$10.7 million).

In a press release on Saturday (Sept 18), the SPF said that those arrested were allegedly involved in illegal gambling syndicates estimated to have handled around US$465 million in bets.

As part of this operation codenamed SOGA VIII, SPF also conducted a series of local enforcement operations between June 11-July 31 that led to the arrest of 72 people believed to be involved in remote gambling activities.

Cash of more than $800,000, computers, laptops, mobile phones were among the items seized during the operations.

The SPF said investigations against all 72 persons are ongoing.

Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police How Kwang Hwee said: "The series of operations conducted by the SPF in collaboration with Interpol reinforces the police's determination to stamp out transnational syndicates involved in unlawful remote gambling activities.

"The SPF will continue to work with Interpol and foreign law enforcement agencies to take tough enforcement action against those who engage in illicit activities with blatant disregard for the law."

For participating in unlawful remote gambling, one can be fined up to $5,000 or imprisoned for up to six months, or both.

Those convicted of assisting in providing unlawful remote gambling services can be fined between $20,000 and $200,000, imprisoned for up to five years, or both.