The Police have arrested two men, aged 21 and 24, for their suspected involvement in money laundering related to illegal online gambling.
On 31 August 2020, the Police received a report from a victim informing she was cheated by a person she met online who offered online betting services. She was told to deposits monies into various local bank accounts specified by the person in order to bet. The person became uncontactable when she decided but failed to make the withdrawals from the account.
Through investigations, officers from Bedok Police Division established the identities of the two men and arrested them on 2 December 2020.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the men had used their bank accounts to receive and transfer criminal proceeds.
Investigations against both men are ongoing. The offence of cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code is punishable with an imprisonment term that may extend to 10 years, and a fine. The offence of money laundering, punishable under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, carries a jail term of up to 10 years and/or a fine of up to $500,000.
The Police take a serious view against any person who may be involved in scams and frauds, and perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance to the law. To avoid being an accomplice to crimes, members of the public should never allow others to use your bank account.
Members of the public are also strongly advised to adopt the following crime prevention measures:
- Be wary when befriending strangers on any online platform. They may not be who they claim to be;
- It is an offence to place bets on illegal online betting sites or applications. Do not engage in such services and report them to the authorities; and
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Victims may be lured with the promise of easy winnings. However, such platforms are often programmed and rigged by the scammers to artificially give that illusion.
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Hotline at 1800-722-6688. Anyone with information on such scams may call the Police hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
04 December 2020 @ 8:15 PM