PENAMPANG: An illegal cyber gambling group that used the ‘WhatsApp Group Chat’ to stay in touch with their clients was discovered when police raided a hotel room in Putatan last week.
During the 10pm raid on February 17, police seized 14 laptops, a computer, router, modem and RM1,910 in cash.
Twelve people, including eight civil servants aged 25 to 44 have been detained by police to facilitate investigation under Section 4B (a) of the Common Gaming House Act 1953.
Penampang police chief DSP Azmir Abdul Razak said the operation was carried out after police received a tip about an illegal cyber gambling activity in the area.
“When police raided the hotel room, 11 men, believed to be players, were busy gambling ‘on-line’ while being watched by a woman caretaker.
“Among those detained were eight civil servants,” he told reporters in a press conference at the Penampang police headquarters on Wednesday.
According to Azmir, police investigation showed the group would inform potential players of the date, time and location of the illegal activity through WhatsApp Group Chat.
“Investigation also shows the group’s activity is mobile, where they will move from one location to another and use laptops to avoid suspicion or from being detected by law enforcement.
“Prior to the raid, we have set up surveillance in the hotel and found out that the group has moved to four different rooms within four days,” he said, adding that the illegal gambling activity would only last for 10 days.
Azmir also said police believed most of the players are addicted to cyber gambling or as a pastime activity as each bet only costs between RM0.10 and RM0.20.