KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 ― The police have set up a task force to combat the ‘mini casino’ online gaming that is becoming widespread, Kuala Lumpur Police chief Datuk Seri Mazlan Lazim said today.
“In the first six months of this year, 25 suspects were detained under the Prevention Of Crime Act (POCA).
“The Royal Malaysia Police warns of firm action against the organisers and patrons of online gambling despite the fact that it is difficult to trace their operations as they are mobile and not confined to any premises,” he said at a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Police headquarters here.
He also said that the culprits could also be arrested and prosecuted under Section 4B(a) and Section 6(1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
Mazlan said one of the modi operandi of the online gambling operators was to provide tablets or smartphones at the premises, for those who were new to the activities.
“If the player wins, the caretaker (of the premises) will pay directly to the player. If the caretaker does not have enough money, a bank transaction will be done by the manager or supervisor,” he said.
As for the second modus operandi, Mazlan said the online gambling operator would provide a link for the player to download from the “Google Play Store” application, using own smartphone.
“This (method) is usually for regular customers, and that they would be in touch via the WeChat mobile application for every gambling transaction,” he said.
According to Mazlan, the police had conducted 71 raids through an operation, dubbed “Op Dadu”, and made 268 arrests in the first six months this year.
Also seized were 342 tablets, 70 (computers), 60 (laptops), 69 (smartphones), 38 (wifi/modem) and 24 (routers), all of which valued at RM36,559, he added. ― Bernama
