The Police are investigating 15 men and four women, aged between 17 and 88, for their suspected involvement in illegal gambling activities and unlawful employment in two separate cases.
The two cases are as follows:
- On 4 December 2021, officers from Woodlands Police Division conducted an enforcement operation against illegal gambling activities along Yishun Avenue 5. Two men, aged 77 and 78, were allegedly found to have acted as bookmakers to four other men, aged between 56 and 88 years old. Cash amounting to more than $1,400, a mobile phone and betting related paraphernalia were seized.
- On 15 December 2021, officers from Bedok Police Division and the Central Narcotics Bureau conducted a joint enforcement operation along Toh Crescent. A total of 21 persons were allegedly found mingling within a residential unit. A poker table, pool table and karaoke system were also found within the unit. In addition to gambling, one woman was established to have provided companionship for a fee. In total, nine men and four women, aged between 17 and 35 years old, were arrested for offences under the Common Gaming Houses Act and Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. Gambling related paraphernalia were seized during the operation. All 21 persons are being investigated for offences under the COVID 19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.
Under the Betting Act, any person who is found to be involved in bookmaking shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $20,000 and not more than $200,000 and shall also be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years. Under the same Act, any person who bets with a bookmaker shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.
Under Section 4(1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act, any person who, being the owner or occupier of a property, keeps or uses it as a common gaming house, shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000 and imprisonment of a term not exceeding three years. Under Section 7 of the Common Gaming Houses Act, any person caught gaming in a common gaming house shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both.
Under Section 5(1) of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, no person shall employ a foreign employee unless the foreign employee has a valid work pass. The offence of doing so carries a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $30,000, imprisonment of a term not exceeding 12 months, or both. Under Section 5(2) of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, no foreign employee shall be in the employment of an employers without a valid work pass. The offence of doing so carries a fine of not less than $20,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both.
Members of the public are advised to take the prevailing safe distancing measures seriously. For non-compliance with safe distancing measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, offenders may be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.
The Police will continue to take tough enforcement action against criminal activities. Those found engaging in illicit activities, or in breach of safe distancing measures, will be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law.
Cash, a mobile phone and betting related paraphernalia seized for the case along Yishun Avenue 5
Scene photos and gaming chips seized for the case along Toh Crescent
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
22 December 2021 @ 2:00 PM