SHAH ALAM: Police crippled an illegal online gambling syndicate based in Sunway Rahman Putra Condominum, Sungai Buloh, where men impersonated women to lure foreign male victims into illegal gambling.
Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said only one Malaysian was arrested out of 34 people aged between 19 to 33 nabbed in the raid on Aug 30.
The 34 comprised 28 men and five women.
“Initial investigations revealed that the syndicate used Facebook to pose as women in order to lure foreign customers,” Shazeli said.
“Victims were persuaded to access gambling websites, while betting transactions and money withdrawals were carried out via WhatsApp using overseas bank accounts.”
The suspects were remanded for four days, ending today.
However, Shazeli said that the police will apply for another remand application in court today to continue the detention.
One suspect acted as the premises caretaker and supervisor, earning a monthly salary of RM5,000, while other workers were paid about RM2,000 each.
They worked daily from 9am to 11pm.
Police also seized 21 computer sets and 22 mobile phones during the raid.
The case is being investigated under Sections 4(1)(b), (c) and (g) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
