Singapore Police Investigate 30 Individuals in Crackdown on Illegal Online Gambling and Financial Crimes

Singapore authorities are investigating 30 people for their suspected involvement in illegal online gambling activities and related financial offences following a targeted enforcement operation conducted over nine days in May.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Singapore Police Force said that a nationwide operation carried out between 21 and 29 May resulted in the identification or arrest of 21 men and nine women ranging in age from 17 to 79. The operation was led by the Criminal Investigation Department’s Specialised Crime Branch and focused on disrupting unlawful gambling activities and the financial networks supporting them.

During the course of the investigation, police froze approximately S$19,000 (US$14,000) believed to be proceeds linked to illegal gambling activities.

According to investigators, five of the individuals are suspected of placing wagers through unlicensed online gambling operators. Authorities allege that funds used for these gambling activities were channelled through bank accounts controlled by criminal syndicates. The suspects are being investigated under Section 20 of the Gambling Control Act 2022, which provides for penalties of up to S$10,000 in fines, imprisonment of up to six months, or both for individuals who engage with unlawful gambling service providers.

The remaining 25 suspects are alleged to have either sold their personal or corporate bank accounts or relinquished control of those accounts to criminal groups. Investigators believe that some of these individuals provided false information to financial institutions in order to establish bank accounts before transferring access credentials to unknown third parties.

These cases are being examined under several pieces of legislation, including the Computer Misuse Act 1993, the Penal Code, and the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992.

Authorities outlined a range of potential offences and penalties that could apply depending on the outcome of the investigations.

Under the Computer Misuse Act, offences involving unauthorised access to digital systems or the disclosure of national digital identity credentials, including Singpass information, may result in penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment, fines, or both.

Individuals found guilty of cheating offences under the Penal Code could face imprisonment for up to three years and financial penalties. Meanwhile, money laundering offences prosecuted under the Confiscation of Benefits Act carry significantly heavier punishments, including prison terms of up to 10 years and fines of as much as S$500,000 (US$387,000).

At the time the police announcement was issued, authorities had not disclosed whether any of the suspects had been formally charged.

The investigation comes amid Singapore’s ongoing efforts to tighten oversight of gambling activities, particularly those involving offshore online operators targeting local residents. The Gambling Control Act 2022 was introduced as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the country’s regulatory framework and combat illegal gambling.

Despite regulatory action against online prediction market platform Polymarket in 2024, authorities have recently observed an increase in wagering activity involving the platform. Users attempting to access Polymarket were informed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) that doing so could constitute a breach of Singapore’s gambling laws. Violations may attract penalties including fines of up to S$10,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

Police have also reiterated warnings to the public against transferring ownership, access, or control of personal and corporate bank accounts to third parties. Authorities advised individuals to report any suspicious attempts to gain access to their accounts and reminded those affected by gambling-related issues that assistance remains available through the National Council on Problem Gambling.

The latest enforcement action underscores Singapore’s continued focus on combating illegal online gambling operations, financial crime, and the misuse of banking infrastructure by organised criminal networks.

By fLEXI tEAM