Nine people have been arrested after allegedly helping an illegal online gambling syndicate by setting up shell companies and corporate bank accounts used to process gambling-related transactions.
The suspects, comprising seven men and two women aged between 17 and 55, were arrested during a three-day police operation conducted between Jul. 22 and Jul. 24.
According to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), the operation targeted a syndicate believed to be operating an illegal online gambling platform known as “GemBet”.
Raids conducted across multiple locations
Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Woodlands Police Division and Tanglin Police Division carried out coordinated raids across several locations, including Upper Jurong Road, Jurong West, Punggol, Geylang, Lengkok Bahru and Toa Payoh.
Investigations revealed that six of those arrested allegedly registered shell companies and opened corporate bank accounts before handing control of the companies, banking credentials and accounts to members of the syndicate.
The remaining three suspects are believed to have acted as runners, assisting the syndicate in obtaining the shell companies and corporate bank accounts.
Police identified nine corporate bank accounts linked to six shell companies during the operation and froze more than S$39,000 believed to be criminal proceeds.
SingPass credentials allegedly misused
Preliminary investigations found that the six suspects allegedly used their SingPass accounts to register new business entities with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA).
They then allegedly opened corporate bank accounts before surrendering full control of the businesses and banking credentials to the runners.
The nine suspects are being investigated for multiple offences under the Computer Misuse Act, Penal Code, Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act, Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act, Companies Act and Gambling Control Act.
Depending on the offence, penalties include fines, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both.
Police intensify crackdown on illegal gambling
The SPF said it takes a serious view of individuals who allow their personal or corporate bank accounts, business entities or SingPass credentials to be used for criminal activities.
Police warned that such accounts are frequently exploited for illegal gambling, scams and money laundering.
Between May 1 and Jul. 20, 2026, police stepped up enforcement ahead of and during the FIFA World Cup period, arresting or investigating 60 people aged between 17 and 79 for suspected involvement in illegal online gambling and related offences.
During the same period, authorities blocked or removed more than 600 illegal gambling websites, mobile applications and social media pages promoting unlawful betting activities.
Police also worked with banks and payment providers to stop more than 6,900 attempted gambling-related banking transactions worth over S$600,000.
Members of the public are reminded not to hand over control of their bank accounts, SingPass credentials or business entities to others, as they may be held criminally liable if these are used to facilitate illegal activities.