Vietnamese online gambling busts

Six Ho Chi Minh City locals were arrested in a Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security led raid on the eve of the World Cup Quarter Finals, authorities said.

The online football betting syndicate, who allegedly catered to “thousands” of gamblers, placed bets through M88.com.

Tracking of the online operation, which began at the start of the Football World Cup 2014 held in Brazil earlier this year, saw gamblers create accounts on M88 and transfer money to foreign bookmakers through local intermediaries.

Members of the syndicate held VND1.5 trillion (US$70 million) in proceeds and ATM cards, betting slips, cash and mobile phones were confiscated in the raid, Police told Thanh Nien News.

In related news, a Canadian citizen and seven Vietnamese were arrested by Vietnamese Police for allegedly operating Pro186.com, an illegal football betting website boasting 15 000 members.

Nguyen Huu Khoi Khoa (33), and an accomplice offered members “P-Coins” bought through two agents via pre-paid telecom scratch cards or by transferring money through bank accounts.

The P-Coins were used as betting currency. VND100 000 would buy 2000 P-coins.

Investigations in both instances are ongoing.