11 arrested as first syndicate investigated under Remote Gambling Act
AsiaOne Monday, May 04, 2015
SINGAPORE - Nine men and two women have been arrested after being suspected of providing remote gambling services.
This is the first syndicate to be investigated under the Remote Gambling Act 2014, which came into effect in Feb this year, said the Singapore Police Force in a statement today.
In an island-wide operation on May 3, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Officers mounted simultaneous raids at various locations across Singapore, including Balestier, Hougang, Tiong Bahru, Tanjong Pagar, Newton and Woodlands.
During the raids, cash amounting to about $215,000, an array of computers, mobile phones as well as betting records and bank transaction record booklets were seized.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the 11 suspects, aged between 26 and 51, are believed to have received illegal bets of about $3 million in the past two weeks.
Police investigations are ongoing, and if found guilty, the suspects could be fined between $20,000 and $200,000, jailed for up to five years, or both.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations and Intelligence) Tan Chye Hee explained that the Remote Gambling Act 2014 was enacted to tackle groups and individuals who profiteer from unlawful remote gambling to the detriment of the public at large.
"Police are determined to stamp out unlawful remote gambling and will continue to take tough enforcement actions against those who flout the law," Mr Tan, who is concurrently Director of the CID, added.
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