Kuala Lumpur World Cup betting raid leads to 11 arrests
Police say the betting operation targeted customers in Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong.
Malaysia.- Kuala Lumpur police have arrested 11 people following a raid on an alleged online betting syndicate accused of promoting wagers on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Officers from the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters Criminal Investigation Department’s Gambling, Vice and Secret Societies Division (D7) conducted the raid at an office in Taman Desa around 11.30am yesterday (July 9).
Six South Korean men, three Malaysian men and two Malaysian women were arrested. Police believe one of the local women managed the premises, including overseeing its operations and recruiting workers. Initial findings indicate the office had been rented for about six months.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said officers seized computer equipment, electronic devices, RM18,817 (US,400) in cash and digital holdings of 323,380.22 USDT, valued at about RM1.3m (US$319,410).
Police say the betting operation targeted customers in Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong. They suspect it was directed by a Canadian national operating from outside Malaysia. Efforts are ongoing to trace others linked to the operation. The suspects and all seized items have been taken to the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters, where the case is being investigated under Section 4(1)(e) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
The latest operation comes after police detained 32 Chinese nationals suspected of running an illegal online football betting syndicate.
