Law enforcement agency Interpol lauded the work of Singapore authorities yesterday for arresting the ‘mastermind’ of the world’s largest match-fixing syndicate thought to be worth millions of dollars.

Interpol secretary general Ron Noble did not reveal the identity of the ringleader arrested last Tuesday but it is believed to be Singaporean Tan Seet Eng.

Italian prosecutors have accused Tan, also known as Dan Tan, of heading an organisation to fix soccer matches worldwide and Italian police issued an arrest warrant for him earlier this year.

“I’m confident that Singapore law enforcement authorities have arrested the mastermind and leader of the world’s most notorious match-fixing syndicate,” Noble said.

“It is significant because this syndicate is considered the world’s largest and most aggressive match-fixing syndicate with tentacles reaching every continent and the mastermind was someone many believed was untouchable.”

The ‘mastermind’ was one of 14 people arrested, 12 men and two women on suspicion of being part of an organised crime group involved with match-fixing.

Yesterday, the ministry of Home Affairs said nine of the 14 had been released on bail while the other five were still being questioned.