The Singapore Police Force (SPF) participated in the INTERPOL-led Operation SOGA VIII where law enforcement agencies across 28 countries coordinated efforts to combat illegal soccer gambling during the UEFA European Football Championship held in 2021. The operation led to the arrest of close to 1,400 persons across Asia and Europe allegedly involved in illegal gambling syndicates which were estimated to have handled around USD465 million worth of bets.
As part of this operation, SPF conducted a series of local enforcement operations between 11 June and 31 July 2021, which led to the arrest of 72 persons believed to be involved in remote gambling activities. Cash of more than S$800,000, computers, laptops, mobile phones and other items believed to have facilitated the illegal gambling activities were also seized during the operations. Investigations against all 72 persons are ongoing.
Under the Remote Gambling Act 2014, anyone who participates in unlawful remote gambling shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both. Any person who provides unlawful remote gambling services for another shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $20,000 and not more than $200,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both.
Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police How Kwang Hwee said, “The series of operations conducted by the Singapore Police Force (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.”
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
18 September 2021 @ 10:20 AM