In a large-scale operation against a suspected Organised Criminal Group (OCG), the Police have arrested 33 men and 3 women, aged between 22 and 77, for their suspected involvement in providing remote illegal 4D/Toto, horse betting and soccer gambling services.
On 7 September 2020, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Police Intelligence Department and Special Operations Command conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations island-wide, resulting in the arrests. During the operations, cash amounting to more than S$400,000, watches, mobile phones, computers and other documents such as betting records were seized. The Police also initiated the freezing of the suspects’ bank accounts and properties to prevent dissipation of suspected criminal proceeds.
15 of the suspects have been charged in court on 8 September 2020 for providing an unlawful remote gambling service under Section 9(1)(a) of the Remote Gambling Act 2014. Investigations against the remaining suspects are ongoing.
Under the Remote Gambling Act 2014, 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 to both. Under the Organised Crime Act 2015, any person who is or acts as a member of a locally-linked OCG shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigation & Intelligence) concurrent Director of the Criminal Investigation Department Florence Chua said, “The Police have zero tolerance for OCGs as they pose a serious threat to Singapore’s safety and security. This operation was conducted as part of the Police’s ongoing efforts to disrupt and dismantle OCGs operating in Singapore in blatant disregard for the law. The Police will spare no effort in our enforcement actions against such groups to deprive them of their ill-gotten gains and to keep Singapore safe and secure.”
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
08 September 2020 @ 10:30 PM