Police smashed gambling fraud syndicate

Police smashed a gambling fraud syndicate following the arrest of 23 persons today (January 4).

Officers of the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) mounted an intelligence-based operation against a gambling syndicate believed to be triad-controlled from one year ago. The syndicate lured housewives and domestic helpers to play card games ("Sam Kung") and cheated them of their money.

The operation turned overt at about 10 am today. Officers of OCTB raided a number of locations over the territory. A total of 23 persons, including 16 men and seven women, aged between 22 and 60, were arrested for conspiracy to cheat at gambling.

Some cash and gambling tools were also seized during the operation.

The operation is still on-going and all the arrested persons are still being detained for enquiries.

Police urged members of the public who might have been deceived by similar modus operandi to contact the investigating officers at 2860 8366. A Police spokesman also reiterated that Police would continue to mount similar operations to curb the income of triad societies.


Police Report No. 13
Issued by PPRB

Ends/Wednesday, January 4, 2006