KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 282 people were arrested after police raided 201 premises suspected of operating online gambling activities and selling unlicensed lottery numbers in a nationwide Ops Dadu Khas operation.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Comm Datuk M Kumar said the operation, conducted from Oct 31 to Nov 1, involved 108 raids on online gambling activities and 93 raids on unlicensed public lottery operations.
He said those arrested were aged between 20 and 65, comprising 229 men and 53 women.
"Of those arrested, 59 were foreign nationals from Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh who were employed by local syndicates," he told a press conference at Bukit Aman on Monday (Nov 2).
Police also seized tablets, mobile phones, mobile printers and RM32,149 in cash during the raids.
Comm Kumar said preliminary investigations had identified several syndicates with efforts underway to identify those behind the operations.
"These premises may operate on a move-around basis. Today they are at one location, and tomorrow they close that premises and move to another," he said.
He explained that the syndicates could easily relocate as they only needed an Internet connection and wifi to operate and conduct transactions.
"Some operate under the guise of other businesses, such as cafes, beverage outlets and grocery shops," he said.
Kumar said gambling activities were also conducted through mobile phone applications, making enforcement more challenging.
"Individuals use their own mobile phones to place bets. That is what sometimes makes enforcement difficult for the police," he said.
He said police were also working with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to remove online gambling advertisements from social media platforms.
"Hundreds of advertisements are taken down daily with MCMC's assistance. However, some still slip through, and we identify these activities through such advertisements," he said.
Comm Kumar said police would also recommend cutting electricity supplies to all 201 premises after investigations were completed and sufficient evidence had been obtained, under Section 21A of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
He added that police were also looking into possible action under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla).
"Offences under the Common Gaming Houses Act serve as predicate offences for investigations under Amla," he said.
Comm Kumar said similar operations would continue as part of efforts to curb unlicensed gambling activities.
All 282 suspects were remanded for between one and four days to assist investigations under Sections 4A(a), 4B(a) and 4(1)(c) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, as well as Sections 6(1)(c) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. Further investigations may also be conducted under Amla.
