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SINGAPORE police have arrested 20 people for illegal soccer bookmaking and gambling activities in a series of island-wide raids between Oct 24 and Nov 18.
They also seized 86 computers, two laptops, two modems and $24,000 in cash.
The raids were part of 'Operation SOGA', which was coordinated by Interpol - the global police organisation - against illegal soccer betting in seven Asian countries, and timed to coincide with the major soccer seasons, said the Singapore police in a statement on Friday.
If convicted for acting as a bookmaker, the offender faces a fine of between $20,000 and $200,000, and a maximum jail term of five years.
Those found guilty of betting with an illegal bookmaker can be fined up to $5,000 or jailed up to six months.
Police said soccer betting has become of the more popular forms of gambling among Singaporeans.
While there are many legitimate avenues for soccer betting, some people still prefer to place bets with illegal soccer bookmakers.
Planning for Operation SOGA began in early June when senior officers from various law enforcement agencies in Asia met to discuss strategies to tackle the situation.
An expert group comprising members from seven countries - China, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - was formed following the meeting.
'The Expert Group provides a regional cooperation platform against illegal soccer bookmaking and gambling activities,' said the statement.
'Its objectives are to coordinate the exchange of intelligence and enhance the capabilities of the law enforcement officers with a view to cripple the illegal activities posed by these bookmakers.'
The Expert Group got down to action quickly and mapped up out a three-phase operation, which culminated in the seven-nation joint raids.
The amount of bets involved in Operation SOGA was US$680 million (S$982 million).
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Wong Choong Mann, of the CID's Specialised Crime Division, said of the joint operations, 'The close cooperation between the different countries makes this operation possible and a success.'
'Criminals should not think that the police are not able to coordinate our intelligence and enforcement efforts just because we live in different borders.'
'We urge the public not to bet with these illegal bookmakers and the police will not hesitate to take strong enforcement action against such illegal activities.'
Dozens of illegal football betting houses across Asia have been shut down as part of the operation.
It has so far led to the arrest of 187 people in China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Malaysia alone, as well as the seizure of US$636,000.
The operation follows Interpol's move last year to set up Project Asian Organised Crime, which aims to fight the worldwide expansion of Asian crime networks through sharing intelligence.
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