Police arrest 282 in nationwide crackdown on online gambling and illegal lotteries
Malaysian police arrested 282 people and seized RM32,149 in a two-day nationwide crackdown on online gambling and unlicensed lottery operations across 201 premises.Summary
Police arrested 282 individuals and seized RM32,149 in cash during a two-day nationwide operation, Ops Dadu Khas, targeting online gambling and unlicensed lottery operations across 201 business premises. Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar said the raids, conducted from October 31 to November 1, included 108 premises linked to online gambling and 93 involving unlicensed public lottery operations. The arrested, aged 20 to 65, comprised 229 men and 53 women, including 223 Malaysians and 59 foreign nationals from Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh employed by local syndicates. Police seized tablets, mobile phones and mobile printers, and all suspects were remanded for one to four days. Preliminary investigations identified syndicates operating under names such as Winbox and Alibaba, with police working to identify their leaders. Investigations will also be conducted under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, as offences under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 can serve as predicate offences. Police will recommend disconnecting electricity to all 201 premises under Section 21A of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953. Syndicates often moved between premises, using cafes, beverage outlets and sundry shops as fronts, operating online to evade detection. Those arrested are being investigated under various provisions of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 and the Immigration Act 1959/63, and police will continue intensifying enforcement with local authorities.
(Source：Malay Mail)