Before the start of the World Cup, Singapore police launched an eight-day operation to crack down on illegal gambling, with 11 men and women aged between 17 and 23 being investigated for different offenses.
According to Lianhe Zaobao, the Singapore Police Force issued a statement on the 11th that said the Specialised Crime Investigation Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department conducted enforcement operations from June 4 to 11, with nine men and two women being investigated for various offenses.
Among them, three individuals are alleged to have obtained online gambling accounts from illegal syndicates to allow others to participate in illegal online gambling, including placing bets and transferring funds to designated accounts. One of them is also believed to have placed bets with illegal gambling syndicates himself.
Ten people are suspected of handing over their personal bank accounts for use by criminal syndicates. Some of them allegedly deceived banks when opening accounts, which were then handed over to unknown individuals.
The last individual is believed to have paid others to "buy" bank accounts and then passed them on to illegal gambling syndicates. Investigations into these 11 individuals are ongoing.
According to the Gambling Control Act, participating in gambling activities organized by illegal operators can result in a fine of up to S$10,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
Under the Computer Misuse Act, it is illegal to provide login codes (access codes) and information related to the National Digital Identity authentication service without authorization. If convicted, offenders can be fined up to S$10,000, jailed for up to three years, or both.
The police reminded the public that the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the largest ever with the most participating teams, is about to kick off in the US, Canada, and Mexico. During major international sporting events like these, betting activity often surges. The public is urged not to participate in any illegal gambling activities, and those who choose to bet legally should also exercise self-restraint.
Among them, three individuals are alleged to have obtained online gambling accounts from illegal syndicates to allow others to participate in illegal online gambling, including placing bets and transferring funds to designated accounts. One of them is also believed to have placed bets with illegal gambling syndicates himself.
Ten people are suspected of handing over their personal bank accounts for use by criminal syndicates. Some of them allegedly deceived banks when opening accounts, which were then handed over to unknown individuals.
The last individual is believed to have paid others to "buy" bank accounts and then passed them on to illegal gambling syndicates. Investigations into these 11 individuals are ongoing.
According to the Gambling Control Act, participating in gambling activities organized by illegal operators can result in a fine of up to S$10,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
Under the Computer Misuse Act, it is illegal to provide login codes (access codes) and information related to the National Digital Identity authentication service without authorization. If convicted, offenders can be fined up to S$10,000, jailed for up to three years, or both.
The police reminded the public that the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the largest ever with the most participating teams, is about to kick off in the US, Canada, and Mexico. During major international sporting events like these, betting activity often surges. The public is urged not to participate in any illegal gambling activities, and those who choose to bet legally should also exercise self-restraint.