11 suspects of online gambling syndicate charged
Eleven alleged members of an online gambling syndicate with assets worth at least tens of millions were charged in court on Tuesday (29 November).
The nine men and two women face charges under the Remote Gambling Act or Common Gaming Houses Act, according to a report by The Straits Times.
The alleged syndicate members are Ow Choon Bok, 40; See Chye Huat, 49; Seet Seo Boon, 52; Lim Beng Tiong, 52; Lean Kay Cheong, 60; Seet Seow Huat, 61; Seah Ee Lam, 66; Seet Siau Khuang, 67; Seet Sian Thian, 68; Tok Poh Ling, 47; and See Mui Khim, 52, the report said.
They are accused of offences such as receiving and placing bets, managing prize money and depositing bet payments.
On Monday, the Singapore Police Force said that an organised criminal group (OCG) that provided online gambling services has been crippled after police arrested 24 men and nine women for their suspected involvement in the syndicate.
The police also had 36 properties worth $39 million and cash totaling $6.5 million belonging to the syndicate frozen.
During raids carried out on Sunday at more than 30 locations across Singapore, police seized cash amounting to about $1.3 million, computers, mobile phones, fax machines and betting records.
Preliminary investigations show that the OCG allegedly ran online lottery and horse betting sites. The OCG had a network of agents and punters who performed various roles including providing network support, collecting monies and tallying accounts.
Under the Organised Crime Act, a person convicted of being a part of a local OCG faces a fine of up to $100,000 or a jail term of up to five years, or both.
Under the Remote Gambling Act, a person convicted of providing remote gambling service in Singapore faces a fine of between $20,000 and $500,000 and a jail term of up to seven years, or both.
The case involving the 11 accused will be mentioned again on 6 December.
