Published: Sunday February 15, 2009 MYT 3:15:00 PM
Updated: Sunday February 15, 2009 MYT 6:17:26 PM
Miri police smash multi-million betting syndicates
By STEPHEN THEN
MIRI: The police here have smashed two major black-market four-digit syndicates that had been earning up to RM3 million every month for the past two years from on-line betting from Malaysia and from neighbouring countries.
The Miri police, which busted the syndicates after raids at two housing estates near the city centre, found that these two syndicates had been operating in Miri for the past two years, and that they might have raked in up to RM72mil in total bets.
Miri Police Chief Asst Comm Jamaluddin Ibrahim said on Sunday that investigations showed that the syndicate masterminds might be living in in peninsula Malaysia and using local Sarawakians as workers.
The police raided two houses in the Pujut 7 and Pujut 4 housing estates located about 5kms from the city centre late on Saturday and early Sunday and arrested a total of 12 people - five men and seven women.
Initial investigations showed that these two syndicates each earned up to RM250,000 per day.
In a week there are three draws, so these syndicates each earn up to RM750,000 per week.
Information gathered from those arrested shows that these syndicates had been operating in Miri for the past two years.
“Those whom we arrested said they are only workers hired by some people from outside. These workers said they are paid between RM1,000 to RM1,600 per month. They were given accomodation, food and cars,” he said.
“We have seized evidence that showed a masterlist of clients from all over Malaysia and also from neighbouring countries. The on-line bets come from people everywhere, not just from Sarawak,’’ he told a press conference in Kuching.
ACP Jamaluddin said the police raided the premises following intensive ground investigations and information gathering from the public.
Police have seized dozens of desktop computers, lap-top computers, mobile phones, fax machines and other items used to handle the on-line bets, as well as bank account numbers, payment slips and printing machines.
The items seized were worth at least RM30,000, he said, adding that the police have detained the 12 people and are now trying to locate the syndicates’ masterminds.
“These workers said they have never seen their bosses before. They received their salaries via banks,” he said.
To a question, ACP Jamaluddin said the syndicates were very mobile and they moved around from one house to another and from one town to another in order to avoid detection.
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