AN online gambling syndicate operating secretly at a storefront in George Town was exposed after police arrested 10 locals in several raids on May 25. 

Penang police chief Khaw Kok Chin said the raids, which began at 3.30pm, led to the arrests of two men and eight women aged between 20 and 30.

“Preliminary investigations found this syndicate has been active online for the past 10 months, and that (the suspects) were being paid to carry out the illegal activity. 

“The police confiscated various equipment used by the syndicate to carry out online gambling activities, including 16 mobile phones, 10 monitors, 10 CPUs, and two internet routers,” he told reporters at the Penang police headquarters today.

Khaw said the suspects were offered salaries of more than RM2,000 to become “online promoters” for the syndicate.

Khaw said they were provided with phone numbers from an agent via Google Drive, through which they would contact customers overseas to make online gaming offers. 

“If anyone was interested, they (online promoters) would provide a link to the potential client for registration purposes. All financial transactions would be managed by the other agent.

“All those arrested have no criminal records and their statements were recorded before being released on police bail,” he said, adding the investigation is being carried out under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953. – Bernama, May 29, 2023.