Malaysia Police on High Alert to Curb Illegal Online Gambling

26.08.2019, 12:01

Reports are emerging that illicit online gambling is on the steady rise in Malaysia. The gambling occurrences have triggered the country to review its gambling law to thwart the growth of the activity. But even before the gambling laws are updated, the law enforcement department has taken up the issue to disrupt operations of illegal gambling.

The offensive police onslaught has already netted 100 suspects, who have been since sent to jail. The suspects were running a website in a facility within the country’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. That site was uncovered earlier by the authorities featured more than 200 casino games.

Interestingly, all the 100 suspects captured were Chinese citizens, who included 83 males and 17 females. This is similar to a $1bn online gambling ring in Vietnam, which also had several Chinese citizens involved. However, a local woman was also arrested as an investigation into the operation gathered momentum.

If convicted, the suspects risk being sentenced to at least five months of imprisonment with an offense related to illicit gambling and immigration. However, the length of imprisonment can extend up to five years in a foreign land. The authorities also have the option to remand the illegal gambling operators unlawfully.

Gambling Den Raid

The raid that the police conducted in the town of Mont Kiara resulted in the confiscation of 23 personal computers and 66 laptops. The impromptu ambush also netted 555 cell phones and other valuable gadgets. It took six police officers together with an additional 31 law enforcement officials to undertake the operation.

Mont Kiara location is known as a gated community that is guarded by private security service. It occurred that the closed-circuit security cameras mounted in the elite estate aided the police mission.

It’s alleged that the gambling ring was targeting fellow Chinese citizens. The suspects were reportedly enticing the gamblers with the promise of huge payout and secure wins. Various News agencies have revealed that illegal activity has been happening since January. It’s estimated that the illicit gambling was collecting at least $4300 on a bad day but could realize as high as $17000 on a good day.

The seriousness of the police on the matter is evident, especially in the last few months. Only last year, the law enforcement made 10000 raids that resulted in about 22000 arrests. In March, the Malaysian officers also busted and raided an illegal gambling den.

In the recent past, countries in South Asia have launched a massive crackdown on online gambling that targets Chinese workers. Cambodia and the Philippines are other nations that China government has lauded for such efforts.