KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 — A Malaysian man alleged to be the leader of a multimillion dollar gambling ring and part of the feared 14K Triad claimed trial in a Las Vegas court yesterday in a case involving illegal bets on the football World Cup football through June and July.
Paul Phua Wei Seng, 50, a regular at casinos in Las Vegas and Macau and his son Darren Phua Wai Kit, 23 pleaded not guilty. Both were nabbed in an operation by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Las Vegas Review Journal reported.
The men were freed on bail totalling US$2.5 million (RM7.97 million) and trial has been set for September 29, it added.
Two other Malaysians Richard Yong Seng Chen 56, and his son, Yong Wai Kin Yong, are to face similar charges
According to the FBI, the elder Phua is “known by law enforcement to be a high-ranking member of the 14K Triad”, the paper said.
Wikipedia, the open source encyclopedia, describes 14K Triad as one of the world’s largest and most violent criminal gangs in the world.
The two men denied ties with organised crime syndicates, the paper reported
Paul Phua had been arrested in Macau for running a gambling operation taking millions in illegal.
Posting bail he flew on his private jet to Las Vegas to continue gambling, the paper cited the criminal complaint as saying.
The FBI raid took place at exclusive addresses in Las Vegas after a tip-off, the paper reported.
