Malaysian police bust syndicate behind self-developed betting app with US$6.6 million daily turnover

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Malaysian police have dismantled a locally based online gambling syndicate accused of developing its own betting application to facilitate betting on the 2026 Fifa World Cup and other gambling activities, with an estimated daily betting turnover of RM27 million (approximately US$6.6 million).

The operation formed part of Op SOGA XI, a nationwide crackdown on illegal gambling conducted during the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

Police said coordinated raids on 19 premises in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor on 16 July 2026 led to the arrest of 166 people, including five men believed to be company directors or shareholders involved in managing the syndicate.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director M Kumar announced the results during a press conference at the Subang Jaya police headquarters on 22 July.

Syndicate operated through its own application

According to Kumar, the syndicate created and operated its own online betting application, allowing customers in Malaysia and overseas to place bets on football matches and other forms of gambling.

"Initial investigations found that the syndicate developed its own application before promoting it to customers to enable betting on football matches and various other forms of gambling," he said.

Although the application served customers from both domestic and international markets, Kumar said the entire betting operation was controlled by a syndicate based in Malaysia.

"The syndicate handled a betting credit turnover estimated to reach RM27 million a day," he said.

Companies allegedly used as a front

Investigators believe several registered companies were linked to the operation.

According to police, some businesses claimed to provide computer-related services but were allegedly being used to run online gambling operations.

Kumar said initial investigations indicated that although the companies were registered under different names, they were believed to be controlled by the same syndicate.

Police also believe the group was not solely focused on World Cup betting but offered a wider range of online gambling services.

Hundreds of electronic devices seized

During the raids, officers seized equipment believed to have been used to operate and promote the gambling business.

The items included 182 desktop computers, 137 laptops, 152 mobile phones, modems, routers, decoders, bank cards and other electronic devices.

Among those arrested were 106 men and 55 women aged between 19 and 62, including six foreign nationals. Police separately detained five local men believed to be directors or shareholders connected to the companies under investigation.

Authorities have opened 14 investigation papers involving offences in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

The case is being investigated under Sections 4C and 4E of the Betting Act 1953, Section 4G of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, and Section 120B of the Penal Code.

Wider crackdown on illegal gambling

Police said the latest raids were part of the broader Op SOGA XI operation conducted between 19 June and 20 July.

During that period, officers carried out 649 raids nationwide and arrested 945 people, comprising 835 men and 110 women.

Authorities also seized nearly RM200,000 in cash and detected betting transactions valued at RM35.15 million.

In a parallel enforcement effort, police worked with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to identify websites promoting online gambling.

Kumar said authorities detected 637 gambling-related websites during the operation, with some already blocked as part of ongoing enforcement efforts.

Police said investigations into the syndicate and its financial network are continuing.