SINGAPORE: Malaysian police and their Singaporean counterpart conducted an operation against a multi-million dollar transnational betting syndicate, resulting in the arrest of 43 suspects, including two women, on June 30 and July 1.
The republic's Public Affairs Department said in a statement that the Singapore Police Force (SPF) had targeted syndicate members suspected of running illegal betting activities in both nations.
During the operation, SPF officers from various divisions executed simultaneous raids across multiple locations in the republic, which led to the arrest of 37 men and two women, aged between 34 and 82.
Raids by Malaysian police resulted in the arrest of four Singaporean men in Johor believed to be connected to the syndicate.
Following the operation, Singapore authorities issued prohibition of disposal orders on seven properties in the island valued more than S$10.7 million (RM37.4 million).
They also seized an undisclosed amount of cash, jewellery, luxury watches and some 40 bank accounts, all worth more than S$4 million.
Electronic devices, including computers and mobile phones, and gambling paraphernalia were also confiscated, read the statement.
Eight men and a woman were charged under the Gambling Control Act 2022 in Singapore courts on July 2, while investigations were ongoing for the remaining suspects.
In Singapore, those convicted of running illegal betting operations could be fined up to S$200,000 and jailed five years.
Singapore acting deputy commissioner (Investigation and Intelligence) and concurrent director of the Criminal Investigation Department, Zhang Weihan, said to counter transnational organised crime, SPF would continue to work closely with their foreign counterparts.
He also expressed gratitude to Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Commissioner of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.