Singapore police probe 30 suspects in illegal gambling investigation

The other 25 suspects are suspected of selling or surrendering control of personal or corporate bank accounts to syndicates. Some accused parties reportedly misled banks to open accounts and subsequently handed over account credentials to unknown third parties. 

These actions are under investigation for violations of several laws, including the Computer Misuse Act 1993, the Penal Code, and the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992.

Legal implications

Potential charges outlined by the authorities include:

• Unauthorised Access and Identity Disclosure: Under the Computer Misuse Act, offences such as unauthorised access to or disclosure of national digital identity credentials (Singpass) carry penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment and/or fines.
• Cheating: Offences under the Penal Code, involving deception or fraud, may lead to a maximum of three years’ imprisonment and/or fines.
• Money Laundering: Under the Confiscation of Benefits Act, money laundering can lead to sentences of up to 10 years and fines as high as S$500,000 (US$387,000).

As of the police statement’s publication, it remains unclear whether any formal charges have been brought against the suspects.

Enforcement environment

In recent years, Singapore has strengthened its regulatory framework around gambling, notably through the Gambling Control Act 2022, aimed at curbing the influence of offshore online gambling operators targeting residents. 

Despite banning Polymarket in 2024, the Singapore government has seen a surge in wagering on the platform recently. Users trying to access Polymarket were informed that they were acting in violation of the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA). Penalties included fines of up to S$10,000, six months in jail or both. 

The police have cautioned the public against transferring control of personal or corporate bank accounts to others. They urged individuals to report any suspicious access attempts immediately. They also reiterated the availability of support resources for problem gambling through the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Kathryn Evans

Kathryn covers bitesize breaking news with a primary focus on EMEA and US legislation. A proud North Walian, fluent Welsh speaker and lifelong Wrexham FC fan – long before Hollywood came calling.