Singapore Police Probe 30 Suspects in Online Gambling Case

Singapore police are investigating 30 individuals who were involved in online illegal gambling and other financial crimes. This comes after a five-day exercise by the police that saw the confiscation of close to S$19,000 worth of suspicious illicit funds.

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Investigation Exercise

The investigation exercise was conducted by the Specialized Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department on 21st to 29th May. As part of their mission to curb illegal gambling and other crimes committed through gambling, the operation resulted in the identification and arrest of 21 men and 9 women aged 17 to 79.

Authorities stated that 5 individuals had placed illegal bets with gambling companies not licensed within Singapore. In those cases, police said money was allegedly moved through bank accounts controlled by criminal syndicates. The individuals are being investigated under Section 20 of the Gambling Control Act 2022, which carries penalties of up to S$10,000 in fines and/or up to 6 months’ imprisonment for engaging with unlawful gambling providers.

Bank Account Misuse

The other 25 suspects are believed to have sold or surrendered control of personal or corporate bank accounts to syndicates. According to police, it is believed that some of those arrested may have misled banks in their attempt to create bank accounts before selling off the credentials to unidentified third parties.

These activities have been scrutinized under a variety of legislations, including the Computer Misuse Act 1993, Penal Code, and Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992. The authorities said the suspected offences cover a wider pattern of misuse involving both gambling activity and access to financial accounts.

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Possible Charges

Police identified several potential charges under which these individuals could be charged. Under the Computer Misuse Act 1993, acts related to unauthorized access or disclosure of national digital identity credentials like Singpass would attract a jail term of up to three years and/or a fine. 

Under the Penal Code, cheating offences involving deception or fraud can also lead to up to 3 years’ imprisonment and/or fines. Meanwhile, money laundering under the Confiscation of Benefits Act can result in sentences of up to 10 years and fines of up to S$500,000. As of the time of the police statement, it was not clear whether any formal charges had been brought.

Regulatory Response

The regulations on gambling have been made stricter by Singapore recently, including through the introduction of the Gambling Control Act 2022, which is aimed at regulating the operations of online casinos operating from overseas and seeking to attract local gamblers. The police further highlighted their worries regarding citizens handing over their bank accounts to other people and requested the public to alert them immediately if any such cases were witnessed.

Citizens who find themselves with a problem gambling issue can seek help from the National Council on Problem Gambling. This new development forms part of the continued effort by Singaporean authorities to crack down on any form of gambling crime.

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Source: iGaming Business