Police bust RM27m World Cup gambling syndicate

Police dismantled a large online gambling syndicate in the Klang Valley that operated under the guise of computer companies, arresting 161 individuals from 19 premises on July 16 as part of Ops Soga XI. Authorities say the group developed its own betting app and offered football and other online gambling to local and international customers, with a daily betting turnover estimated at RM27 million. Five men believed to be directors or shareholders and six foreigners were among those arrested, with seizures including 182 computers, 137 laptops, 152 mobile phones, modems, routers, decoders, and bank cards. Investigations indicate multiple registered companies were linked to the same syndicate, which used front entities to mask illicit activities, and the operation is being pursued under various gambling and Penal Code sections. Since Ops Soga XI began on June 11, police have conducted 649 raids and arrested 945 people, with 14 investigation papers opened in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor and several websites promoting online gambling blocked or identified by the MCMC.