Malaysia arrests 282 in illegal online gambling and lottery raids

Police are working to establish the directors of Winbox and Alibaba identified among the names associated with the gambling networks.

Malaysia.- Malaysian police claim to have uncovered 201 premises suspected of facilitating illegal gambling following a nationwide enforcement operation that resulted in 282 arrests. Conducted between October 31 and November 1 under Ops Dadu Khas, the operation covered 108 locations allegedly linked to online gambling and 93 associated with unlicensed public lottery activities.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar said police had identified several syndicates linked to the operations, including those using the names Winbox and Alibaba. The groups reportedly used legitimate businesses, including cafes, grocery shops and other retail outlets, to conceal their operations. They’re believed to have frequently moved between premises to avoid police detection.

Of the 282 people detained, 223 were Malaysian nationals and 59 were foreign nationals from Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh. The group comprised 229 men and 53 women aged between 20 and 65. Police seized RM32,149 in cash, along with tablets, mobile phones and portable printers believed to have been used in the operations. Those arrested have been remanded for between one and four days as police continue gathering evidence and tracing possible links to the syndicate leaders.

The suspects are being investigated under Sections 4A(a), 4B(a) and 4(1)(c) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, while some foreign nationals are also being examined under the Immigration Act 1959/63. Police are also looking into possible money laundering offences under Malaysia’s Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.