34 People Arrested in Malaysia for iGaming Activities
The Selangor State Police conducted a raid at a private residence in Sungai Buloh on August 30, arresting 34 individuals (29 men and 5 women aged 19-33) involved in iGaming activities.
Raid Details and Arrests
Among those arrested, only one is a Malaysian citizen; the rest are foreigners. The group operated daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., earning up to $532 per day.
According to the police, the suspects impersonated women on Facebook to attract new users to gambling websites. All bets and withdrawals were conducted via WhatsApp using foreign bank accounts.
Arrest Statistics
| Category | Number | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Men | 29 (1 local) | 19-33 |
| Women | 5 | 19-33 |
Syndicate Methods
The syndicate used the following methods to lure victims:
- Impersonating women on Facebook to attract clients.
- Processing bets and withdrawals via WhatsApp using foreign accounts.
- Operating actively from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Income and Profits
The syndicate earned between RM2,000 and RM2,500 per day by offering various gambling services.
According to police reports, none of the arrested individuals had prior criminal records, and all tested negative in drug screenings.
Legal Consequences
Online gambling is completely illegal in Malaysia. Maximum penalties include:
- Up to 3 years in prison
- A fine of up to $42,000
All suspects were arrested and remanded for four days starting August 31, with the possibility of extension.
Other Police Operations
In addition to the iGaming syndicate raid, police carried out a series of operations targeting investment scammers:
- 39 individuals arrested (24 local men and 2 women) in Subang Jaya and Rawang.
- Victims’ losses amounted to RM515 million.
- Syndicates operated from March to July, targeting victims from Hong Kong, Australia, and Singapore.
- Communication with victims occurred via Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp.
- Victims invested in non-existent packages and lost their money after payment.
Fraud Methods
The scammers’ operation included:
- Building trust through social media.
- Offering participation in investment packages.
- No actual investment existed, resulting in victims losing their money.
Conclusion
Police operations show that iGaming and investment fraud syndicates remain active in Malaysia, using modern methods to lure victims via social media and messaging apps.
The country’s only legal casino operates offline at Resorts World Genting.