Online Gambling Syndicate Busted in Malaysia

A Kuala Lumpur police operation has brought down an illicit online gambling syndicate that had been running under the cover of a legitimate business office in the heart of the city. The call centre, located on the 23rd floor of a commercial building on Jalan Kia Peng, was raided on July 30 as part of the ongoing ‘Op Dadu’ enforcement initiative targeting illegal gambling activities.

According to Acting Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad, thirteen individuals were apprehended during the midday operation. Among those arrested were eight Malaysian men, three Malaysian women, and two Chinese nationals. Investigators believe the group had been operating the scheme since early April, maintaining daily shifts from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Authorities revealed that the call centre was primarily set up to promote online gambling platforms to users in Indonesia. Employees were reportedly hired with monthly salaries ranging from RM3,000 to RM4,000 (approximately US$640 to US$850), serving as remote operators for the illegal operation. Police suspect that the outfit functioned as part of a wider regional network, though further connections are still under investigation.

During the raid, police confiscated a range of digital and networking equipment believed to be used for coordinating betting activities and customer communication. This included 14 desktop computer units, two laptops, multiple Wi-Fi modems and routers, as well as an electronic attendance system used to track employee activity.

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Officers noted that the premises had been deliberately staged to resemble a regular corporate office. The professional setting in a high-rise business district was likely intended to deflect suspicion and avoid detection by building management and law enforcement.

The enforcement action was led by the Kuala Lumpur Vice, Gambling and Corrupt Practices Crime Investigation Division (D7), in collaboration with the Dang Wangi District Police Headquarters. The case is being pursued under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, which addresses illegal gambling activities, and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which applies to the foreign nationals involved.

Authorities are now working to determine how long the operation had been in effect and whether the syndicate has deeper ties to cross-border gambling networks. A remand application for all 13 suspects was expected to be filed following the arrests.

Source:

, nst.com.my, July 30, 2025