SINGAPORE: Ong Teck Kim, 47, has been charged with receiving bribes from the syndicate operator of an Internet gambling cafe chain.

The investigations were conducted by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) in 2007.

Early last year, Chua Chin Hoe asked Ong to be his scapegoat for his 12 gambling houses.

Ong agreed and registered the 12 houses as Internet cafes with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority on behalf of Chua. In return, the cafe owner paid Ong S$400 per outlet per month.

Ong would also receive S$5,000 for every outlet to take the rap in the event he was charged and convicted of illegal activities, and assume all criminal liabilities in the event of a police raid.

Ong now faces three counts of bribery.

He received S$5,000 in February or March 2007, and a further S$8,200 on two separate occasions. He was given S$1,000 for acting as the scapegoat for two operational Internet cafes in May 2007. He received another S$7,200 in July 2007.

If convicted, Ong faces a fine of up to S$100,000 or jail of up to five years, or both.

- CNA/ir