Online gambling ring raked in RM2.4mil
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JOHOR BARU: An online gambling syndicate has raked in about RM2.4mil in winnings from some 7,000 gamblers in the city in just four months after it started operating.
Police busted the syndicate in a raid on Thursday night.
State police chief Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said police carried out a raid at an apartment in Southkey here at around 10.15pm.
“During the raid, police arrested seven suspects, including one female, between the ages of 18 and 34 years at the premises where they are employed as operators.
“Checks found that the apartment unit has been turned into a calling centre, which offers online gambling to locals,” he said here yesterday.
Comm Ayob Khan added that the syndicate had attracted about 7,000 gamblers and were able to collect between RM15,000 and RM20,000 daily since they started operating in June.
He said the suspects’ tasks in the syndicate were to top up their customers’ credit amount and interact with them by promoting gambling websites.
“All transactions are done through online banking from several local accounts that we have identified,” he said.
Seized goods: Comm Ayob Khan (left) indicating one of the items at the Johor contingent police headquarters that were confiscated. — Bernama
Comm Ayob Khan added that the suspects were given a salary of RM2,000 per month with a commission of one per cent.
Comm Ayob Khan also said police seized six computers, 35 mobile phones, two WiFi modems, and a bunch of keys from the premises.
He added police were investigating the case under Section 4(1)(G) of the Open House Gambling Act 1953.
Comm Ayob Khan said between Aug 1 and Sept 25, state police had carried out five raids on online gambling centres around here and Iskandar Puteri.
“During the same period, police also arrested 28 local suspects, including eight females, who were mostly youth working at these call centres,” he added.
He also added that five investigation papers have been opened and would be completed soon before referring it to the state deputy prosecution office for further action.
Meanwhile, police personnel attached to the Melaka police headquarters lodged a report against a Johor police personnel accusing the latter of having an affair with his wife.
Comm Ayob Khan said that police were investigating the claims made in the report.
“We received the report last Thursday (Sept 23) about the matter and the personnel accused of having the affair with the married woman has also come forward and lodged a report to deny it.
“Even though the case involved our personnel, police will carry out an investigation and take action in accordance with the law if the accusation is true,” he said.
