SINGAPORE — Five people have been sentenced to between six and 22 months in jail for cheating Marina Bay Sands (MBS) casino of more than S$200,000.

The five, aged between 40 and 51, had either been long-time friends or were relatives.

Yeo Eng Seng, 45, a dealer at MBS casino late last year, had planned to cheat the casino in baccarat after finding out from a former dealer that he could do that by memorising the card sequences and relaying them to the other players.

Yeo roped in Ho Keng Guan, 44, and his wife Lee Mee Leng, 40, to help with the scam, which was executed in April and May this year. They later asked Ho’s brother-in-law Lim Boon Kwang, 42, and a friend, Leow Pui Kee, 51, to join them.

For their offences, Yeo and Ho were each sentenced to 22 months in jail. Lee was sentenced to 14 months in jail, while Lim and Leow were each given a six-month jail term.

In mitigation, the court heard that Yeo had a gambling addiction and owed money to credit card companies. Ho and Lee were gamblers and the court was told that Lee suffers from health problems. The court noted that Lim and Leow were not as culpable.

All five have made full restitution and Lim and Leow are appealing against their sentences.

CLAIRE HUANG