Singapore Police Investigate 30 People Over Illegal Online Gambling

Singapore police are investigating 30 people after a late-May enforcement operation linked illegal online gambling to bank account misuse and suspected criminal funds.

Good to Know

• Police identified or arrested 21 men and nine women aged 17 to 79.
• Authorities froze about S$19,000 in suspected illicit proceeds.
• Five suspects allegedly placed bets with unlicensed online gambling operators.

The bigger issue for police is not only the online betting. Investigators are also looking at how bank accounts may have helped gambling syndicates move money.

The Criminal Investigation Department Specialised Crime Branch carried out the operation from 21 to 29 May. Police said the case involves 30 people, made up of 21 men and nine women aged between 17 and 79.

Five individuals allegedly placed bets with unlicensed online gambling operators. Police said the suspects used bank accounts controlled by criminal syndicates to move funds tied to those gambling activities.

Those five suspects face investigation under Section 20 of the Gambling Control Act 2022. Anyone found guilty of gambling with an unlawful provider can face a fine of up to S$10,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both.

The remaining 25 suspects are being investigated over the alleged sale or surrender of personal or corporate bank accounts. Some allegedly misled banks to open accounts before handing login details or account credentials to unknown third parties.

Police Link Case To Fraud And Money Laundering Laws

Singapore police said the wider investigation may involve several laws, including the Computer Misuse Act 1993, the Penal Code, and the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes Confiscation of Benefits Act 1992.

Possible offences under the Computer Misuse Act include unauthorised access and disclosure of Singpass credentials. Penalties can reach three years in prison, fines, or both.

Cheating offences under the Penal Code can also bring prison terms of up to three years, fines, or both. Money laundering offences carry stronger penalties, with possible prison terms of up to 10 years and fines of up to S$500,000.

Police had frozen about S$19,000 in suspected illicit proceeds at the time of the announcement. No formal charges had been confirmed when the police statement was released.

Singapore treats illegal gambling and account handover cases as linked financial crime risks because syndicates often use mule accounts to hide betting flows and suspected criminal proceeds.

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