World Cup betting syndicate crippled, bettings worth RM1.05m

Johor police have crippled a 2014 World Cup gambling syndicate with bettings worth RM1.05 million, state police chief Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said today.

He said Op Soga, which was launched last June 13, had conducted 105 raids and inspections on 311 individuals, which resulted in the arrest of 31 individuals suspected to be the syndicate agents or bookies.

"Almost 90 percent of the raids were conducted in public places such as restaurants and other open areas in the vicinity of Iskandar Malaysia region," he told reporters at the Johor police headquarters.

He said the suspects, aged in their 20s and 40, were being investigated under section six of the Betting 1953 (Act 495), which carries a maximum fine of RM200,000 and a jail term not exceeding five years upon conviction.

Also confiscated during the raid were cash amounting to RM61,215 and 5,650 Singapore dollars, nine tablet computers, 30 mobile phones, seven Wi-Fi modems and betting records on the 2014 World Cup league.

Mohd Mokhtar also reminded the people not to be involved in the betting activities throughout the World Cup season as the police were constantly monitoring such activities.