Malaysian blitz on illegal online football betting

The Malaysian federal police have released details of a new operation targeting illegal online betting operators trying to exploit the intense interest in major football championships currently taking place in South America and Europe.

Over the weekend police spokesman SAC Datuk Roslee Chik revealed to local media reporters that the federal CID and Anti-vice, gambling and secret society division started a special enforcement drive on June 1 titled Op Soga VI, and that to date 66 individuals have been arrested in 132 raids across the nation.

Police raiding parties also seized cash, computers and documentary evidence for use in subsequent prosecutions.

SAC Chik revealed in the briefing that the illegal gambling rings recruit players and promote their activities extensively using social media networks like Facebook, WeChat and Whatsapp, persuading gamblers to make upfront deposits to their bank accounts before they are given access to online wagering facilities on the international football games.

The police spokesman claimed that over the years “hundreds of millions” of ringgit has been wagered illegally on sports, chiefly football, by Malaysian online punters.

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