30 Persons Investigated For Illegal Gambling Activities And Misuse Of Bank Accounts

The Police are investigating 21 men and nine women, aged between 17 and 79, for their suspected involvement in illegal online gambling activities and misuse of bank accounts, following a gambling suppression operation conducted between 21 to 29 May 2026.

Officers from the Specialised Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department are investigating the 30 persons who were suspected of illegal online betting or facilitating such activities by providing Singpass access to open personal bank accounts or setting up shell companies for corporate accounts. Over $19,000 in suspected criminal proceeds have been frozen.

Investigations are ongoing against the 30 persons for the following illegal activities:

1. Five persons allegedly participated in illegal online gambling activities by placing bets with unlicensed operators and conducting monetary transactions through bank accounts controlled by illegal gambling syndicates. They are being investigated for offences under Section 20 of the Gambling Control Act 2022. Of these, one person was also found to have sold or relinquished control of her personal bank account and/or company entity to the illegal gambling syndicate; and
2. 25 persons had allegedly either sold or relinquished control of their personal and/or corporate bank accounts to illegal gambling syndicates. Some had allegedly deceived banks into opening accounts before passing their banking credentials to unknown persons. They are being investigated for offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1993, Penal Code 1871 and the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992.

Under Section 20(3) of the Gambling Control Act 2022, any person who gambles with an unlawful gambling service provider shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both.

Under Section 3(1) of the Computer Misuse Act 1993, any person who knowingly causes a computer to perform any function for the purpose of securing access without authority to any program or data held in any computer shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both, for first time offenders.

Under Section 8A of the Computer Misuse Act 1993, any person who disclose any password or access code of the user in relation to the national digital identity service, or provides any other means of securing access in the identity of the user to any program or data held in any computer by way of national digital identity service shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both.

Under Section 417 of the Penal Code 1871, any person who cheats shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

The offence of money laundering under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $500,000, or both.

The Police take a serious view of all formas of illegal gambling and the facilitation of such activities. Individuals who participate in illegal gambling with unlicensed operators may be liable under the Gambling Control Act 2022. Those who relinquish control of their bank accounts for use in criminal activities may be investigated under the Computer Misuse Act 1993, and may also face further action under other relevant legislation.

The Police would like to remind members of the public not to misuse their personal or corporate bank accounts. Account holders should always retain control of their accounts and immediately report any suspicious requests to use their credentials or bank accounts. Individuals will be held accountable if they allow others to use their account for illicit purposes. Members of the public may contact the National Council on Problem Gambling at 1800-6-668-668 if they wish to seek help for themselves or their loved ones for gambling-related addiction.