Over $140,000 worth of casino chips and cash seized in police operation at MBS casino, 9 arrested

Eight men and seven women, aged between 28 and 49, are being investigated for their suspected involvement in unlicensed foreign exchange and remittance activities at Marina Bay Sands casino.

Nine of them were arrested to further assist with police investigations.

A multi-agency enforcement operation led by Central Police Division and supported by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Commercial Affairs Department, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority and partners from Marina Bay Sands was conducted at the casino on Feb 5 and 6.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the 15 suspects were allegedly receiving or providing unlicensed services which included foreign currency exchanges, remittances and buying or selling of casino chips to casino patrons.

Over $140,000 worth of casino chips and cash and an array of handphones were seized.

Any person found guilty of carrying on a business of providing payment services without a licence may be punished with a fine of up to $125,000, imprisonment for a term of up to three years, or both.

Any person who uses chips for any purpose other than the playing of games or tips in the casino premises of the casino operator, shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.

Commander of Central Police Division, Assistant Commissioner Ang Boon Sheng Jeremy, expressed his appreciation to Marina Bay Sands for providing information leading up to the enforcement operation and all the agencies involved for their support.