A well-coordinated raid from various departments of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) cracked down on 28 different illegal World Cup gambling sites on Monday, July 2. By the end of the day, 31 men had been arrested and S $1.2 million had been confiscated.
The SPF released a 45-second video clip of the raid yesterday, July 4, posting it on their social media account on Facebook. The video begins with four members of the force approaching a metal gate and cutting through it with power tools, then barreling through the door, before entering an apartment.
Further footage shows the seizure of cash and electronic devices in four different frames. The screen then flashes, “28 locations raided,” “31 persons arrested,” “S$1.25 million in cash seized,” “in an island-wide police operation against illegal betting on World Cup on 2 July 2018.”
Deputy Commissioner of Police Investigation and Intelligence Florence Chua said, “This operation was conducted as part of the police’s ongoing efforts to stamp out unlawful remote gambling, especially during the ongoing FIFA World Cup. Police take a serious view against such activities and will continue to take tough enforcement actions against those who flout the law, including those who assist remote gambling syndicates in any way.”
The SPF believes that more than S$4 million changed hands in illegal betting activities around the World Cup in the last two week. Investigations into these matters are still being held.
Persons found guilty of illegal gambling can be given fines from $20,000 to $200,000, and receive a prison sentence of up to 5 years.