KUCHING: An online gambling syndicate, reportedly reaping profits of about RM360,000 since operating for the past six months, was crippled with the arrest of nine individuals on Monday (Sept 20).
Acting on information gathered, a Kuching police team along with Sarawak NCID officers raided a bungalow house at Taman Stutong Indah, Tabuan Jaya around 12pm as it was suspected to be used as an online gambling operation centre
District police chief ACP Ahsmon Bajah said the team arrested five foreign and four local gambling operators aged between 18 and 31 years.
Also seized in the raid were seven full set computers, eight phones, routers and modems used in the illegal online gambling operation.
With the arrests of these suspects, further investigation will be carried out to detect the owner of the bungalow house.
“The centre has been operating on a 24-hour basis with shifts since the past six months. The operators are also paid salaries of up to RM1,500 and bonus.
“Based on their transaction records, they reportedly reaped profits of about RM2,000 per day and about RM60,000 per month,” Ashmon said.
He added that the syndicate’s modus operandi was to promote online gambling to locals via calls and social media applications.
All nine individuals will be investigated under Section 4(1)(g) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, which provides for a fine up to RM50,000 and up to three years’ jail. They will also be fined up to RM50,000 for each online gambling machine seized.
Ahsmon added the foreigners would be remanded for 14 days until Oct 4 under Section 51(5)(b) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 while the locals are remanded for three days until Sept 24.
“This ‘Ops Dadu Khas’ will be continued to combat illegal gambling which is detrimental to the economy in terms of licences and taxes,” he said.
