SINGAPORE - About $1.25 million in cash were seized, and 31 men were arrested on Monday (July 2) during a police operation against unlawful World Cup remote gambling.

Police officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Police Intelligence Department and the Special Operations Command had mounted simultaneous raids at multiple locations islandwide as part of the operation, said the Singapore Police Force on Tuesday evening.

Among locations raided include Tampines, Ang Mo Kio, Chinatown, Balestier, Sengkang, Hougang, Bukit Batok, Boon Lay, Jalan Sultan, Sembawang and Orchard Road.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigation and Intelligence) Florence Chua said in a statement: "This operation was conducted as part of the Police's ongoing efforts to stamp out unlawful remote gambling, especially during the ongoing Fifa World Cup 2018.

"Police take a serious view against such activities and will continue to take tough enforcement actions against those who flout the law, including those who assist remote gambling syndicates in any way."

The men arrested are aged between 22 and 74.

Preliminary investigations showed that the suspects are believed to have placed and received illegal bets amounting to more than $4 million over the past fortnight.

Other than the cash, a range of computers, mobile phones and other documents such as betting records were also seized during the operation.

Investigations against all suspects are ongoing.

If convicted, the men could face a jail term of up to five years, and a fine between $20,000 and $200,000.