A US tip-off
The Singapore Police Force has announced the takedown of an international illegal betting syndicate thanks to Facebook parent Meta and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
successful collaboration”
According to the SPF, the Sunday raid and arrests of seven men was the result of “a successful collaboration” between itself and the two US entities.
The SPF stated that information provided by Meta and the FBI on the gang’s alleged illegal gambling activities led to the arrests.
In a news release, the SPD said the suspects enticed victims in Singapore and other Asian countries to open online gambling accounts with a website based overseas.
Making victims pay
Victims would wire money to the gang’s anonymous bank accounts in exchange for gambling credits. At first, the victims could redeem their winnings on the site, with the suspects wiring money into their accounts.
According to police reports, however, the suspects who continued to gamble on the site, and attempted to cash out more winnings, were told by the suspects to buy more credits or stack up more wins.
The SPD said multiple victims lost over S$175,000 ($135,000).
The raids on multiple properties on Sunday netted cash, 15 bank accounts, computers, mobile phones, SIM cards and a S$500,000 ($387,777) luxury watch. Two of the four Singaporeans arrested each received illegal online bets on soccer and casino, while the other two were runners.
Warning issued
All four men are scheduled to appear in court on Oct 13, with each facing a maximum fine of S$200,000 ($155,000) and a prison term of up to five years.
The SPF’s Criminal Investigation Department Deputy Director, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Yeo Yee Chuan, said the SPF viewed illegal betting activities as serious. Commissioner Chuan said the SPF “will continue to take tough enforcement action and prosecute those involved to the fullest extent of the law, wherever they choose to operate.”
