Malaysian authorities detain 496 amid raid against alleged illegal gambling operation
The operation took place in Selangor state.
Malaysia.- Authorities have raided an alleged clandestine online gambling operation housed in a residential apartment complex in Serdang. The Immigration Department, the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) and the General Operations Force detained 496 undocumented migrants.
The premises were found abandoned with equipment such as tablets, monitors, chairs, and surveillance systems. The operation saw 741 individuals screened, with 496 subsequently transferred to the Semenyih Immigration Detention Centre for alleged violations of the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Passport Act 1966, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
The case has been handed over to MBSJ for further investigation and enforcement measures. The Immigration Department is running a Migrant Repatriation Programme (PRM) 2.0 through April 2026. The initiative allows migrants to voluntarily return home upon paying a nominal compound and administrative fee of RM520.
