Singapore raids illegal betting ring, arrests 17 and seizes $720,000
What's next: Five suspects were due in court July 8 under the Gambling Control Act, while 12 others remain under investigation.
Singapore police arrested 17 people and seized more than S$720,000 in cash after islandwide raids on suspected unlawful remote gambling operations on July 6. Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Police Intelligence Department and Special Operations Command searched multiple locations including Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Toa Payoh, Changi, Bedok, Tampines and Bukit Batok. The suspects — 14 men and three women aged 45 to 76 — were also linked to seized mobile phones, computers and gambling paraphernalia. Four men and a 47-year-old woman were set to be charged July 8 under the Gambling Control Act. Police said major sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup often drive spikes in illegal betting.