First organised crime group prosecuted in Singapore: six charged in court
New law applied for the first time against members of a US$18.4 million illegal gambling syndicate
By Valerie Koh
A new law in Singapore to deal with organised crime activities was invoked for the first time on against six alleged members of a gambling racket that had amassed more than S$25 million (US$18.4 million) in illicit proceeds.
Among the six hauled to court for offences under the Organised Crime Act was the purported syndicate leader, 53-year-old Seet Seo Boon, who faces 61 charges, including for receiving around S$17.3 million (US$12.75 million) in illegal bets between January 2013 and November 2016. His co-accused, comprising four men and one woman aged between 51 and 67, are accused of acting as runners or agents of the racket.
All six are among the 49 persons the police arrested in a crackdown in November last year. About S$25.5 million (US$18.79 million), believed to be criminal proceeds, has been seized from this group.
Police said in a release on Wednesday that the syndicate had provided illegal gambling services and facilities “extensively”.