The Police are investigating 31 persons, aged between 16 and 61, for their suspected involvement in illegal gambling activities, unauthorised access to computer material and abetment to cheating, following a series of gambling suppression operations conducted between 26 March 2025 and 11 April 2025.
During the operations, officers from the Specialised Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department initiated investigations against 31 persons who had allegedly conducted illegal betting operations, facilitated the operations of illegal betting operations or gambled with illegal gambling operators.
Investigations are ongoing against the 31 persons for the following illegal activities:
- 11 persons allegedly relinquished control of their bank accounts to illegal gambling syndicates to facilitate transactions relating to illegal gambling activities. They have also allegedly cheated the banks by falsely claiming that the bank accounts which were applied by them would be used for legitimate purposes. They are being investigated for offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1993 and Penal Code 1871;
- 17 persons allegedly gambled using illegal gambling websites or mobile applications, and had performed monetary transactions with bank accounts controlled by the illegal gambling syndicates. They are being investigated for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022 ;
- and Three persons who are allegedly agents for gambling syndicates who had collected illegal lottery bets from punters. They are being investigated for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022.Under Section 18(3) of the Gambling Control Act 2022, any person who is found to be involved in conducting an unlawful betting operation as an agent shall be liable on a conviction to a fine not exceeding S$200,000 and shall also be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.
Under Section 20(3) of the same Act, any person who gambles with an unlawful gambling service provider shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding S$10,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both.
Under Section 3(1) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993, any person who relinquishes their banking facilities to facilitate illegal gambling activities shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both, for first time offenders.
Under Section 417 of the Penal Code 1871, any person who cheats shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
The Police will continue to take tough enforcement action against those involved in illegal gambling activities, regardless of their roles, and ensure that they face the full brunt of the law. This includes taking actions against those who open or give away their bank accounts to aid illegal gambling activities
Members of the public are strongly advised to stay away from illegal gambling activities. They can contact the National Council on Problem Gambling at 1800-6- 668-668 if they wish to seek help for gambling addiction.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
15 April 2025 @ 5:45 PM