Bukit Aman Crime Investigation Department (CID) director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain (left) speaking during a joint press conference with Singapore’s acting deputy commissioner of police (investigation and intelligence), concurrent CID director, Zhang Weihan at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar customs, immigration and quarantine complex, Johor Baru on July 9, 2024.
JOHOR BARU: Four Singaporeans, who were arrested here for their connection to an online gambling syndicate, have been handed over to the Singapore Police Force (SPF).
Bukit Aman Crime Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the men, aged between 41 and 60, were arrested at several apartments here on July 1.
Two Malaysian women, aged 29 and 34, were also detained for facilitating the online gambling ring, which ran its main operation across the straits.
“The Singaporeans have criminal records in the island republic for drugs, illegal gambling, secret society activities, and rioting.
“They used Malaysia as the counting centre to collect bets on four-digit lottery and horse racing.
“The suspects also used Singapore telecommunication service providers to elude the local authorities,” he told a joint press conference with SPF at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine Complex here yesterday.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said all six suspects were charged and fined under Section 6 (1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 on July 8.
In the two-day operation, which began on June 30, police from both nations rounded up a total of 41 men and two women, aged between 34 and 82, to facilitate investigations.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said strong cooperation between the two police forces was the way forward in combating cybercrime.
“The arrests were a manifestation of the positive working relationship. We need to work closely and share information to fight cybercrime,” he said.
Also present at the press conference was Singapore’s acting deputy police commissioner (investigation and intelligence), Zhang Weihan. He thanked his Malaysian counterpart for assistance in the successful operation.
He said in this case, the force had issued prohibition of disposal orders for seven properties, estimated at more than S$10.7mil (RM37.45mil) and seized cash, jewellery, luxury watches, and more than 40 bank accounts, totalling S$4mil (RM14mil).
