SINGAPORE: Singapore yesterday said key match-fixing suspect Dan Tan is helping with enquiries after he was charged in Hungary in relation to the alleged manipulation of 32 games across three countries.
Dan Tan, whose full name is Tan Seet Eng, is “currently assisting the Singapore authorities in their investigations,” said a joint statement from the city-state’s police and anti-corruption agency.
Singapore is also working with Hungarian authorities over the case, which is the result of a four-year probe into games in Hungary, Italy and Finland. As well as Dan Tan, 44 Hungarians have also been charged.
“The Singapore authorities are in touch with the Hungarian authorities,” the statement said.
“We have in fact sent an official request to the Hungary authorities in mid-April 2013 to interview a witness in connection with the case, as well as to seek more information on their investigation findings.” Dan Tan is also wanted in Italy over the “calcioscommesse” scandal and emerged as a key suspect in February when the European police agency Europol said Asian-linked fixers had targeted hundreds of games around the world.
Last week, he was charged in absentia by Hungarian prosecutors who also issued European and international arrest warrants for him.
Apart from Dan Tan, all the others charged are Hungarians, and include former players, players still active, referees, club owners, managers and coaches.
“The Singapore authorities are also in contact with a few European countries for more information on their investigation findings,” the Singapore statement said.
“In addition, a team of German police officers visited Singapore in early May 2013 to exchange information. Investigations are ongoing.” Police did not directly answer questions about whether Dan Tan has been charged or arrested. In previous cases in Singapore, people who were described as assisting investigations have been charged or appeared as witnesses.
The latest developments follow the arrests in April of three Lebanese referees and a businessman in Singapore over allegations that the officials received sexual bribes in return for agreeing to fix an AFC Cup match.
Singapore is considered at the heart of international football match-rigging, fueled by illegal gambling, after fixers learned their trade in the local and Malaysian league before venturing into Europe in the 1990s.
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