KUALA LUMPUR: An illegal online gambling syndicate made up of Chinese nationals which had been operating from rented bungalows in a plush residential area in Mon’t Kiara was busted by police yesterday.
Police rounded up 100 Chinese nationals, 83 men and 17 women, in a raid at Peak Residence, Changkat Duta Kiara.
A local woman was also arrested by the police team, comprising six officers and 31 personnel.
Police said the syndicate targeted solely China-based clients aged between 19 and 65, and promoted over 200 betting games similar to those found in casinos.
According to their modus-operandi, the promoters deceived potential clients into believing the games were easy with large payouts. Investigations revealed the syndicate had been in operation since January, raking in over RM18,000 in profits daily.
The syndicate leaders were also said to have limited the movements of its members, confining them indoors and providing them with daily meals.
It is learnt the operators paid a hefty rental of RM17,000 for each bungalow as the units were in a gated community with security guards and closed-circuit cameras and accessible with access cards only.
Bukit Aman anti-vice, gambling and secret societies division principal assistant director SAC Datuk Rohaimi Md Isa said the syndicate had received payments from its clients through online banking and other payment methods via social media.
He said police seized 90 desktop and portable computers, 543 cellphones, modems and routers at the premises, which functioned as the primary network server for the illegal gaming websites.
Rohaimi said police also discovered that the syndicate was involved in offering unlicensed share investments.
The remanded suspects are being investigated and will likely be charged under illegal gambling laws and for violation of immigration laws.
