More than 30 under investigation in Singapore over illegal gambling

• In Singapore, a police operation that has taken 12 days to complete, resulted in an investigation against 36 individuals
• Police suspect some of the individuals engaged in illegal online gambling and misused bank accounts, while others sold or voluntarily agreed to give access to their bank accounts to criminal syndicates
• Some of the suspects may have fallen victim to a scam giving access to their bank accounts and SignPass credentials for employment

A police operation against illegal gambling in Singapore, which took nearly two weeks, resulted in investigations against more than 30 people, suspected of unlawful activities.

36 people are under investigation

The large-scale operation against illegal gambling wrapped up late last month after 12 days of raids in different locations across the country.

Police have reportedly frozen more than $10,000 in what is believed to be proceeds from criminal activities from bank accounts belonging to suspects, a report released by the Singapore Police Force reveals.

In total, 36 people are under investigation over their alleged involvement in illegal gambling and fraudulent use of bank accounts.

Surprisingly, the youngest suspect is only 16 years old, while the oldest is 69, the police said.

Police officers with the Criminal Investigation Department executed the latest operation, which complements Singapore's ongoing fight against illegal gambling.

Law enforcement reminded the public that they should protect their SignPass credentials and reject job offers that require access to their bank accounts, explaining that such offers are likely fraudulent.

In Singapore, through the use of SignPass credentials, members of the public can receive access to private sector and governmental services.

It is not uncommon for cybercriminals to target SignPass credentials and the latest criminal case is a perfect example.

What's known so far is that 13 individuals are suspected of gambling via illegal gambling websites or applications and then using bank accounts controlled by an illegal gambling syndicate.

On the other hand, the remaining 23 individuals are suspected of selling their bank accounts and/or SignPass credentials.

According to police, while some may have sold access to their bank accounts and SignPass details to criminal syndicates, others may have been victims of fraud.

Oftentimes, criminal organizations would claim that access to bank accounts and SignPass credentials is necessary for employment, when in reality, the individuals who agree would fall victim to fraud and their accounts would be used to move ill-gained funds.

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