Singapore and Malaysia police arrest 16 for alleged illegal horse betting
Joint raids led to the seizure of USD200,000 in suspected criminal proceeds.
Singapore.- The Singapore Police Force (SPF) has reported that raids in Singapore led to the arrests of 14 men and one woman, aged between 50 and 78, for alleged involvement an illegal horse betting syndicate operating in Singapore and Malayisia. A 53-year-old Singaporean man was arrested in Malaysia by the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP).
Over USD200,000 in suspected criminal proceeds have been seized, including funds from three bank accounts, as well as cash, mobile phones and gambling paraphernalia. Meanwhile, USD17,000 in cash and betting records were confiscated in Singapore neighborhoods such as Ang Mo Kio, Jurong, and Bukit Batok.
Under Singapore’s Gambling Control Act, those found guilty of gambling with unlawful providers face fines up to USD10,000 or six months in jail, while operators could be fined up to USD500,000 and imprisoned for up to seven years.
Deputy Commissioner Zhang Weihan, director of SPF’s Criminal Investigation Department, praised the collaboration with Malaysian authorities, particularly thanking RMP’s Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain. “This operation underscores our commitment to tackling transnational organized crime,” Zhang said, adding that SPF will continue partnering with international agencies to disrupt such syndicates.
