Keeping up with the times: Daily live draws being broadcast online. Syndicates have explored social media and the Internet to offer 4D lottery betting schemes, according to a source.
PETALING JAYA: Undeterred by the action and laws against illegal gambling, syndicates in this trade are bold enough to openly set up their “stores” next to legitimate number forecast operators (NFOs) to lure punters.
A source said this was a common sight in the gaming industry despite police crackdowns on such illegal activities following complaints from legal 4D operators.
“Some of the runners were bold enough to set up their betting stores next to the legal 4D businesses to receive bets from the punters. Obviously, they have the backing of these syndicates, ” said the source.
“They would rent a shoplot and set up a handphone store as a front while others rented space in coffeeshops to compete with the legal businesses nearby.”
The source also said that despite police action on these illegal places, it did not deter them due to the lucrative income and easy money.
Based on police statistics, the source added, the federal and state police conducted 10,693 raids related to illegal 4D activities nationwide last year.
Selangor topped the police operation list, with 2,943 raids conducted, followed by Johor (1,466) and Penang (1,048). Kedah saw 712, followed by Sarawak (696) and Sabah (646).
The source said syndicates had also explored social media and the Internet to offer similar 4D lottery betting schemes.
There are at least six of such 4D online schemes targeted at local punters.
The source added that they operated from one of the Asean countries and conducted daily draws, which had been held over the past two years.
The source said the operators of these schemes were all Malaysians.
“They have live broadcast draws on social media on how the winning numbers are picked, ” said the source.
Aside from Malaysia, said the source, the online schemes were also targeting punters from Thailand, Indonesia, China and Singapore.“They used a mobile app for punters to place their bets. They have their local agents, runners and even customer service to deal with local punters. These operators are known to use online banking channels to make payments for winning numbers, ” added the source.
To promote their games, they also post commercials starring local actors on social media.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said they were aware of such online betting and commercials and were looking at ways to curb these unhealthy activities.
