30 Young Adults Arrested in Commercial Building Sweep; Suspected Chinese Ringleader Still at Large
Malaysian police have shut down an illegal online gambling call centre operating out of a commercial unit in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, in a coordinated raid carried out at 11:30am by the Wangsa Maju police and the Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigation Department’s D7 Unit (Anti-Vice, Secret Societies and Gambling).
City Police Chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa confirmed the arrest of 30 individuals, including 23 Malaysian men, six Malaysian women, and one Chinese national, all aged between 20 and 27. The operation is believed to have functioned as a remote support hub for online gambling platforms targeting users in China.
Inside the Operation: Tech Equipment, Targets, and Tactics
During the raid, police seized 30 computer monitors, 60 mobile phones, two routers, a modem, and an access card — tools believed to have been used to manage and facilitate online gambling operations. Initial findings suggest the illegal setup had been active for roughly two months before authorities stepped in.
The suspects were detained and transported to Wangsa Maju police headquarters for questioning and further investigation. Police are now on the hunt for the alleged mastermind, a Chinese national, who remains at large.
Legal Repercussions: Severe Penalties Ahead
The case is being investigated under Section 4(1)(g) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, which targets the publishing or advertising of a place as a gambling facility. If found guilty, the suspects face fines ranging from RM5,000 to RM50,000 (approximately US$1,060 to US$10,600) and potential prison terms of up to three years.
Additionally, authorities noted that each seized gaming device could trigger separate fines of up to RM50,000, compounding the legal exposure of those involved.
Context: Ongoing Crackdown on Remote Gambling Operations
This raid is part of Malaysia’s broader crackdown on illegal gambling activities, especially those with transnational links. Operations such as this are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often disguising themselves as legitimate business offices while conducting illicit online gaming activities.
The involvement of a foreign ringleader underlines the cross-border nature of online gambling syndicates, many of which use Malaysia as an operational base due to strategic internet infrastructure and high connectivity.
Authorities have urged the public to report suspicious activity and reiterated their commitment to shutting down illegal gambling hubs that exploit local talent and compromise legal frameworks.
