New Busts in Malaysia

Police detain eight people Eight men have been brought in by the Police in Penang, Malaysia under suspicion that they are members of two illegal online football betting syndicates exploiting the Euro 2012 championships. It is said that the two syndicates were led by two Malaysians, aged 26 and 75, who allegedly made massive profits from bets which on occasions reached as high as RM200,000 each. Apart from the arrests, the raids also resulted in seizure of several cell phones, laptops, match schedules and betting receipts, as well as a substantial amount of cash. According to Criminal Investigation Department Director Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin, the police have obtained additional evidence from the detentions, and this may lead to more arrests. He also left the possibility open that the syndicates are led by the same people involved in illegal betting during the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. In conclusion, Mohd Bakri added the police will be working closely with the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission, as well as Interpol, to monitor and curb illegal online gambling activities.