Singapore (dpa) - An Interpol coordinated operation tackling illegal football gambling in Asia netted more than 1,300 people across the region, news reports said Friday.

Police forces from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Indonesia and Malaysia participated, The Straits Times said. A total of US$16.8 million was seized, and betting records worth US$1.45 billion were disrupted.

Dubbed Operation Soga Wave II, it was timed to coincide with the Euro 2008 soccer championships and the final matches of major soccer leagues around the world, an Interpol statement said.

Some 1,088 illegal gambling dens, many of which were controlled by organised crime gangs, were raided in the two-month operation.

It was the second time Operation Soga, short for soccer gambling, was held. The first was conducted in October and November 2007.

Among those nabbed were 52 people in Singapore for bets amounting to 600,000 Singapore dollars (US$413,000). About 116,000 Singapore dollars (US$80,000) in cash was seized.

© Bangkokpost

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