Cops bust online gambling syndicates in six raids, four Malaysians among 66 held

KUALA LUMPUR:  The police have arrested 66 people in raids against illegal gambling in the city, including four Malaysians and 53 Chinese nationals. 

Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Seri Mazlan Lazim said several teams raided the locations around the city from March 18-21.

He said police raided premises in Jalan Titiwangsa in the first raid on March 18 and arrested 25 Chinese nationals, including four women.

"We also seized 15 computers, 10 laptops and 89 mobile phones. 

"They were running a call centre, targeting customers from China via WeChat," he told a press conference at the Sentul police district headquarters on Friday (March 22).

Comm Mazlan said the syndicate dealt with up to RM1.5mil in bets.

"We believe they started operations about two weeks ago," he said.

He added that the second raid was on a condominium at Jalan Lorong Kuda, where 23 China nationals were detained, including two women.

"We believe they have been operating for a few months with up to RM1mil in bets per month," he said.

Comm Mazlan said that police then raided an apartment at Jalan Metro Perdana on March 21 and arrested four Indonesian nationals, including a woman.

"We seized two computers, 13 notebooks, 13 mobile phones and two routers.

"We believe they have been in operation for two months, dealing with RM500,000 worth of bets per month," he said.

Comm Mazlan said that the next raid was on a premises in  Kepong Baru, adding that three Malaysians were detained.

"We seized equipment worth about RM20,000. They dealt with up to RM100,000 worth of bets per month. They cater to locals and have been in operation for two months," he said.

Comm Mazlan said the last two raids were conducted on an apartment at Jalan Metro Perdana and a premises in Bukit Jalil on March 21.

"A Malaysian, five Indonesians and five Chinese nationals were detained," he said.

Comm Mazlan said police will continue to combat illegal online gambling in the city.

"Our efforts are continuous. We will go all out against online gambling," he added.