Malaysian police have arrested 282 people as its nationwide crackdown targeting online gambling and unlicensed lottery operations continues.
The two-day operation, known as Ops Dadu Khas, was conducted from October 31 to November 1 across Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak. Police carried out 201 raids, with 108 premises linked to online gambling and another 93 associated with unlicensed public lottery activities.
Those arrested were aged between 20 and 65 and included 229 men and 53 women. Of the total, 223 were Malaysian nationals, while 59 were foreign nationals from Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh who were allegedly employed by local syndicates.
Authorities also confiscated equipment believed to have supported the illegal operations, including tablets, mobile phones and mobile printers.
All 282 suspects were remanded for between one and four days while police investigate the operations and attempt to identify the individuals behind the syndicates. Preliminary investigations have identified groups operating under names including Winbox and Alibaba.
Police will also investigate potential offenses under Malaysia's Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001. Offenses under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 can serve as predicate offenses for money laundering investigations.
The syndicates were found to frequently relocate to avoid detection, using businesses such as cafes, beverage outlets and sundry shops as fronts. Their online operations and transactions allowed them to move between locations with relative ease.
Police also plan to recommend disconnecting electricity supplies to all 201 premises once investigations are completed.
The suspects are being investigated under several provisions of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 and Immigration Act 1959/63, while authorities said enforcement against unlicensed gambling would continue nationwide.
Police identified Winbox and Alibaba among syndicates under investigation
