The Police are investigating 32 persons, aged between 18 and 70, for their suspected involvement in illegal gambling activities, following gambling suppression operations conducted between 2 and 10 May 2024.
During the operations, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department initiated investigations against the 32 persons and froze more than 10 bank accounts that were believed to be used to facilitate illegal gambling activities.
Investigations are ongoing against the 32 persons for the following illegal gambling activities:
- 10 persons allegedly relinquished control of their bank accounts to illegal gambling syndicates to facilitate bank transactions related to illegal gambling activities. They are being investigated under the Computer Misuse Act 1993;
- 20 persons allegedly gambled using illegal gambling websites or mobile applications and performed monetary transactions with bank accounts controlled by the illegal gambling syndicates. They are being investigated under the Gambling Control Act 2022; and
- Two persons who are allegedly agents for gambling syndicates and allegedly collected illegal lottery bets from punters. They are being investigated under the Gambling Control Act 2022.
Amongst the 32 persons, two persons have been charged in court on 3 May 2024 and 6 May 2024 respectively for the offence of gambling with an unlawful gambling service provider under Section 20(3) of the Gambling Control Act 2022. These two persons have ongoing court prosecutions for other offences.
Under Section 18(3) of the Gambling Control Act 2022, any person who is found to be involved in conducting an unlawful betting operation as an agent shall be liable on a conviction to a fine not exceeding S$200,000 and shall also be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.
Under Section 20(3) of the same Act, any person who gambles with an unlawful gambling service provider shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding S$10,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both.
Those who relinquish their banking facilities to facilitate illegal gambling activities may be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both under the Computer Misuse Act 1993, for first time offenders.
The Police will continue to take tough enforcement action against those involved in illegal gambling activities, regardless of their roles, and ensure that they face the full brunt of the law. This includes taking actions against those who open or give away their bank accounts to aid illegal gambling activities.
Members of the public are strongly advised to stay away from illegal gambling activities. The public can contact National Council on Problem Gambling at 1800-6-668-668 if they wish to seek help for gambling addiction.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
17 May 2024 @ 12:20 PM