In a 15-hour biltz yesterday, Police crippled 2 illegal soccer betting syndicates and arrested 12 persons, including 2 of the syndicate leaders.

On 28 Jun 2010 , officers from the Police Intelligence Department (PID) and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) conducted islandwide raids in Bedok, Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Circuit Road , Farrer Park , Jurong West, Tampines, Telok Kurau, Sengkang, Simei and Yishun against illegal soccer betting syndicates. The operation netted 12 persons, comprising 10 men and 2 women, aged between 22 and 52 years old who are believed to be part of 2 such syndicates. Out of the 12 arrested, 2 are believed to be syndicate leaders.

During the raids, cash amounting to about $143,600/-, 18 mobile phones, 9 laptop computers, 4 ATM cards, electronic data storage and communication devices, as well as an assortment of paraphernalia and documents such as bank transactions slips, passbooks and betting records were seized. Preliminary investigation revealed that one syndicate was estimated to have received bets of about $250,000/- for the World Cup so far, while the other syndicate was estimated to have collected bets of more than $400,000/-. Bets were also accepted through Short-Message-Service (SMS) messages sent via mobile phones between punters and syndicate members. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects conducted their betting activities through online betting websites.

Assistant Director of the Specialised Crime Division, Criminal Investigation Department, Superintendent of Police Goh Lam Kiong said, “This operation shows that the Police are serious about stamping out illegal soccer betting syndicates. Punters who assume that they can continue to participate in such activities without being caught should think twice. We will come down on them regardless of whether they are individuals betting illegally or syndicates collecting illegal bets.”

Under the Betting Act, Chapter 21, any person who bets with a bookmaker is liable on conviction to a fine up to a maximum of $5,000, or to imprisonment of up to a maximum of six months, or both. Any person who is found to be involved in bookmaking is liable on conviction to a fine between $20,000 and $200,000, and shall also be punished with imprisonment for up to five years.