Malaysian Betting Ring Busted

[Louis Cypher]

New Straits Times » NewsBreak

Carol Murugiah


JOHOR BARU, April 14: Johor police busted a major syndicate arranging bets on European and South American football leagues totalling RM12 million daily and arrested four bookies, including three Singaporeans.

The bookies, aged between 21 and 29 years, were picked up from a penthouse of a condominium block in Permas Jaya, here in the midst of sorting out bets during an anti-gaming operation.

The penthouse is believed to function as a centre where bets - mostly from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand - were placed either online or via cellphones and stored in computers.

A seven-member team from the anti-vice, gaming and secret societies division headed by Deputy Superintendent Azmi Osman broke into the apartment at about 4.30pm and raided the place.

Seized were an assortment of electronic goods such notebook computers, personal computers, cable television equipment, cellphones, recorders, a printer, fax machine and betting slips amounting to RM100,000.

State Criminal Investigation Department chief Senior Assistant Commissioner (II) Tan Seng Eng said the syndicate was the largest of four bookies crippled in Johor since the 2002 World Cup last June.

The bookies, he said, had been handling bets from at least 130 clients on the English, Italian, Spanish and Latin American football leagues as well as the European Champions League for at least two months.

"Based on the betting records, the syndicate easily made between RM700,000 and RM800,000 per match. We are still probing as to how they were paid as our search of the penthouse did not turn up a considerable amount of money.

"We are also investigating as to how they solicited their clients. We, however, do know that they keep in contact through cellphones and their bets were recorded into the computers," he told a Press conference today.

He said the four men have been remanded under Section 6(3) of the Gambling Act 1953, which carries a fine of between RM5,000 and RM200,000, a jail term of not more than five years, or both.

"We believe that there are other similar syndicates operating out there and we hope that the public would do their part and let us know of their existence so we can put an end to their illegal activities," Tan added.

[Mr Falcone]

Based on the betting records, the syndicate easily made between RM700,000 and RM800,000 per match. We are still probing as to how they were paid as our search of the penthouse did not turn up a considerable amount of money.

THATS WHAT IN $?

[Louis Cypher]

totalling RM12 million daily


That would be roughly $3.2 million U.S. dollars...I don't write the articles, I just post them!

LC

[Mr Falcone]

Didnt figure you wrote it. I was just curious what that was in US. Thanks

[Louis Cypher]

Mr. Falcone,

You're welcome...I hope you know I was only kidding.

LC

[Mr Falcone]

Of course Sir