Crime & Courts

Kuching cops bust online gambling syndicate operating from terraced house

KUCHING: A nondescript terraced house in Kuching turned out to be the base of operations for an online gambling syndicate which had raked in more than half a million ringgit in profit since June.

Police raided a terraced house at Jalan Lapangan Terbang here at 5.30pm yesterday. The house was being used as the syndicate's call centre, operating round-the-clock for the past six months.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Ahsmon Bajah said 11 Indonesians, including two women, were arrested in the raid.

Speaking at a press conference at the district police headquarters today, Ahsmon said the suspects, aged between 18 and 42, were paid RM1,500 per month.

"Apart from their monthly salary, they would also receive a bonus based on the profit generated by the syndicate from the call centre."

Ahsmon said, based on the transaction records, the syndicate generated RM630,000 in profit over the past six months, averaging about RM3,500 per day.

He said it was believed the syndicate was trying to avoid detection by the authorities by operating from a terraced house instead of luxury residences.

"In our previous raids, most of the illegal gambling call centres were operating in luxury condominium units and bungalows. This could be a new tactic, shifting from luxury residences to terraced houses to avoid being caught," he said.

Police also seized various equipment, including six computer monitors and CPUs, mobile phones, a router and modem and other items, used to conduct online gambling activities.

The case is being investigated under Section 4(1)(c) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for overstaying.

Ahsmon said police have since June busted five illegal online gambling syndicates in Kuching which have generated RM15.07 million profit.

"In the 14 raids, police detained a total of 72 individuals, including a 25-year-old man who was responsible for 'taking care' of an account with RM8 million, belonging to a gambling syndicate."

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