MALACCA: Police believe they have uncovered an online gambling syndicate with a new modus operandi using applications on smartphones.
Malacca police chief Datuk Ramli Din said it required a month of surveillance before three suspects were nabbed at Plaza Sungai Udang, near here, following more evidence gained through items seized from the trio.
"We now have a clear picture of the modus operandi, where such syndicates are now very mobile, with their activities far more difficult to trace," said Ramli.
He was speaking after a get-together session and workshop with district police chiefs and volunteer patrol services in the state at the police headquarters here.
Ramli said the syndicate did not require shop lots, and solicited for customers through text messages and mobile applications.
Police seized three smartphones from the male suspects aged 30, 22 and 58, along with RM370 in cash, a logbook and 17 reload cards.
The reload cards with credit values of between RM10 and RM200 each, were allegedly used to purchase credits for use in the online gambling applications downloaded by customers on their smarphones.
"The nature of this activity now has made it much more difficult for police to catch them," said Ramli.
"In this case, police had to be very crafty to investigate, conduct surveillance and then move in when the evidence was clear.
"With such applications it would have been very easy for the suspects to completely close the applications and delete all evidence they have."