The Police have arrested 17 men and four women, aged between 29 and 76, for their involvement in illegal gambling activities and vice activities in a two-day enforcement operation led by Bedok Neighbourhood Police Centre.
For the first operation, officers from Bedok Neighbourhood Police Centre conducted an enforcement operation along Bedok North Street 3, New Upper Changi Road and Bedok South Road for suspected illegal gambling activities. Nine men, aged between 52 and 75, were found to have allegedly acted as bookmakers by collecting and placing bets through physical and remote means for seven men, who had allegedly placed bets with the bookmakers. Cash amounting to more than $7,500 and three mobile phones were seized for investigations.
For the second operation, eight men, aged between 55 and 76, and a woman, aged 68, were arrested along Changi Road for their suspected involvement in illegal gambling activities. Cash amounting to $258, a mobile phone and gambling paraphernalia were seized. All nine persons will be investigated for offences under the Common Gaming House Act 1961.
For the third operation, enforcement checks were carried out on two massage establishments along New Upper Changi Road. Breaches under the Massage Establishments Act 2017 were purportedly detected at both locations for allegedly carrying on a business of providing massage services in an establishment and failing to ensure employees do not provide sexual services. A total of three women, aged between 29 and 43, were also arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter 1961.
Under the Betting Act 1960, 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.
Individuals found to have breached the prescribed rules and conditions under the Massage Establishments Rules 2018 are liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000. Repeat offenders who breach the Massage Establishments Rules 2018 will be liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both.
Under Section 7 of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1961, the offence of gaming in a common gaming house carries a fine of up to $5,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both. The offence of being the owner or occupier of which he/she has the use temporarily, or otherwise thereof, keeps or uses a place as a common gaming house under Section 4(1)(a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1961 carries a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $50,000, and a jail term of up to three years.
Commanding Officer of Bedok Neighbourhood Police Centre, Superintendent of Police Lee Han Sheng said: “The Police have zero tolerance towards illegal activities that threaten the safety and security of our communities and will spare no effort to clamp down on illegal activities. The Police will take enforcement against perpetrators and continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders to conduct regular enforcement operations. Members of the public are also advised to steer clear of crime and to report those engaging in such unlawful activities to the Police immediately.”
Case exhibits seized from Changi Road
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
30 May 2022 @ 10:40 PM