Dozens arrested in Kuala Lumpur over illegal gambling, scams

• Officers raided eight premises across Kuala Lumpur in a new operation against gambling and online scams
• A total of 74 people, suspected of being involved, were detained
• If changed and found guilty of promoting gambling, suspects may face fines and jail time

Dozens of foreigners were detained over illegal gambling and online scams in a large-scale operation in Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur.

Police arrested suspects from China, Vietnam and Taiwan, while seizing various equipment.

The majority of the suspects are Chinese nationals

As announced by The Star, the operation was executed by the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) together with the Commercial Crime Investigation Department.

The two agencies raided locations across Kuala Lumpur, arresting a total of 74 suspects, all foreigners.

The venues raided, police suspect, have been used as centers for online gambling and scams.

The investigation claims the suspects promoted online gambling activities, engaged in love scams and fraudulent investment schemes.

It is unclear whether they targeted local markets across Asia or overseas.

Comm Datuk M. Kumar, Bukit Aman CID’s Director, confirmed that the majority of the suspects, 67, are men, while seven detainees are women.

The suspects were between the ages of 20 and 50, he added.

When it comes to nationality, a majority of the suspects, 61, were Chinese nationals, while a dozen were Vietnamese. During the raids on Monday, law enforcement also detained one suspect from Taiwan.

Citing investigative data, Kumar outlined that the raided venues were being used as calling centers by syndicates to promote online gambling and carry out various online scams, including love scams and fictitious investment scams."

According to CID’s Director, the venues were not only used as bases for online gambling and scams but as living quarters for the suspects.

Equipment, including smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices, was seized by police.

It is unclear what charges the dozens of suspects are facing and whether or not a ringleader has been identified or arrested.

In Kuala Lumpur and across Malaysia, online gambling is illegal.

People charged with illegal gambling under the existing laws may face sentences varying from fines up to six months in jail.

When it comes to more serious crimes, like operating illegal gambling venues or promoting illegal online gambling activities, harsher punishment may be enforced, such as higher fines, time behind bars, confiscation of assets, equipment, and probation.

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