Joint operation against illegal bookmaking syndicates
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Hong Kong Police have neutralised two illegal bookmaking syndicates based in Shenzhen in a joint operation codenamed "Wavemixer" jointly mounted with Shenzhen police.

	After extensive investigations, the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) identified two syndicates believed to be involved in cross-boundary illegal horse-racing and soccer bookmaking activities since 2007. OCTB and the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau have exchanged intelligence and jointly conducted investigations into the two syndicates.

Investigations revealed that the two syndicates, based in Shenzhen, had allegedly set up websites and bank accounts to take bets while the syndicate members were suspected of receiving bets from Hong Kong gamblers.

On June 11, five men and three women aged 29 to 52 were arrested for bookmaking and money laundering related offences in more than 10 locations across Hong Kong, including North Point, Yuen Long, Kowloon City and Wong Tai Sin. 

During the operation in Hong Kong, about $30 million worth of suspected horsing betting slips, about $50,000 in cash, a large quantity of bank transaction slips and five computers were seized.

In Shenzhen, law enforcement officers arrested seven men and one woman, aged 32 to 71, on bookmaking and drug related offences. About $1 million worth of suspected soccer betting slips, about $3 million worth of suspected horse betting slips, five computers and a small quantity of dangerous drugs were also seized.

According to the Gambling Ordinance, any person who bets with a bookmaker, whether the bet is received within or outside Hong Kong, is liable to a maximum fine of $30, 000 and nine months' imprisonment.

	The operation is on-going.

Police Report No. 5
Issued by PPRB

End/Thursday, June 12, 2008
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