Malaysian Police Arrest 34 in Major Online Gambling Bust
BREAKING: Malaysian authorities have just dismantled a significant illegal online gambling operation, apprehending 34 individuals tied to the scheme. The raid took place at 5:10 AM on August 30, 2023, in a terraced house located in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, where the syndicate was reportedly running its main operations.
The suspects include 29 men and 5 women, aged between 19 and 33. Alarmingly, nearly all of those arrested are foreigners, with only one Malaysian citizen among them. Investigations reveal that the group used social media, specifically Facebook, to lure victims by posing as women, directing them to gambling websites where all transactions were conducted via WhatsApp. The syndicate utilized foreign bank accounts for processing betting and withdrawals.
According to Datuk Shazeli Kahar, the Selangor police chief, the gambling operation ran daily from 9 AM to 11 PM, generating up to MYR2,500 (approximately $532) a day. Following the raid, all suspects have been remanded for four days starting August 31, with authorities seeking to extend their detention as investigations continue.
This raid is part of a broader crackdown on illegal activities in Malaysia. In a separate operation, authorities recently detained 39 individuals involved in fraudulent investment schemes that targeted victims in Hong Kong, Australia, and Singapore. These scams, which occurred between March and July this year, resulted in estimated losses of MYR515 million (around $122 million).
Authorities are ramping up efforts to combat these illicit activities, signaling a strong stance against organized crime. The use of encrypted messaging apps and international banking networks by these syndicates complicates enforcement, but the recent arrests show a determined effort by Malaysian police to protect citizens from such scams.
As the investigation unfolds, the public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. Law enforcement continues to monitor these operations closely, aiming to prevent further exploitation of vulnerable individuals. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
