KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 2): Unlicensed online gambling and 4D lottery syndicates have been detected operating behind legitimate businesses such as cafes, grocery shops, and telecommunications stores to evade authorities.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M Kumar said the illegal activity was uncovered through Op Dadu Khas, conducted nationwide on Oct 30 and Nov 1, which led to raids at 201 premises and the arrest of 282 individuals aged 20 to 65.

Those arrested included 229 men and 53 women, among them, 59 foreign nationals from Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, and Bangladesh were believed to have been hired by local syndicates as premises caretakers.

Kumar said at a press conference at Bukit Aman on Monday that the department had also identified several online gambling syndicates, including Winbox and Alibaba, and is tracking down their ringleaders for further action.

Investigations are being conducted under Section 4A(a), Section 4B(a), and Section 4(1)(c) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, Section 6(1)(c) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, as well as the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, Anti-Restricted Activity Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLA).

Kumar said these syndicates operate nomadically because they only need internet access and Wi-Fi to carry out operations and transactions.

He said police will propose cutting electricity to all 201 premises raided after investigations under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 are completed, while collaborating with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to remove online gambling advertisements from social media.

Uploaded by Tham Yek Lee