KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 554 individuals were arrested in 422 Op Soga XI raids nationwide in an operation to crack down on unlicensed gambling activities in conjunction with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M. Kumar said all the suspects arrested were suspected of being involved in illegal betting and online gambling activities, consisting of 508 men and 46 women, with 341 of them being locals, while the other 213 were foreigners.
He said the police also seized cash totaling RM167,062.09 and detected betting worth RM3.24 million during the operation.
“During the period of this operation, a total of 422 raids were carried out in strategic collaboration with various interested agencies, especially the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC),” he said in a statement today.
M. Kumar said the operation also focused on monitoring gambling promotion and advertising activities through websites and social media platforms.
He said a total of 263 websites, platforms, applications and social media were detected to be used for football betting activities and gambling promotions.
“Website blocking and content removal actions will be taken with the assistance of MCMC,” he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 6(1) of the Betting Act 1953 for betting at an open betting house or with a bookmaker; Section 6(3) of the same act for individuals acting as bookmakers as well as Section 4(1)(c) for caring for, managing or assisting in managing a betting place.
M. Kumar said the offence of promoting or advertising gambling activities was being investigated under Section 4(1)(e) of the Betting Act 1953, while the detained foreign national was also being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for being in the country without a valid pass or permit.
“Investigations are also being conducted in accordance with the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFPUAA),” he said.
He said the Royal Malaysian Police would continue to intensify operations and enforcement actions, as well as strengthen strategic cooperation with relevant agencies, and asked the public to provide information to help the authorities combat this activity.
Op Soga XI is being implemented in conjunction with the 2026 FIFA World Cup which takes place from June 11 to July 19.
— BERNAMA
