Singapore - Singapore police arrested 16 people suspected of engaging in illegal bookmaking and loansharking during an island-wide operation this week, Singapore police reported on Wednesday.

Investigators said they seized 730,000 Singapore dollars (477,000 US dollars) in cash from the suspects.

The arrested, including six women, are between 29 to 45 years old. Police suspect them to be involved in a crime syndicate.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate members operated an illegal soccer bookmaking business via the Internet. Some members of the syndicate were also involved in illegal loansharking activities, police said.

According to Singapore law, people found guilty of bookmaking may be fined up to a maximum of 200,000 Singapore dollars and imprisoned for up to five years.

First-time offenders found guilty of operating a business as an unlicensed moneylender may be fined up to 200,000 Singapore dollars or jailed a maximum of two years, or both. (dpa)