Malaysia busts online gambling call centre in Sarawak, arresting 28 suspects targeting overseas customers

SARAWAK, MALAYSIA: Malaysian authorities have dismantled an online gambling syndicate operating a call-centre-style operation from two apartment units in Kuching, Sarawak, following coordinated raids on 22 December 2025.

The raids led to the arrest of 28 individuals, including 25 foreigners and three local men, after police acted on intelligence about illegal online gambling activities conducted from residential premises.

Kuching district police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the operation targeted two apartment units along Jalan Song, where officers uncovered what was believed to be a fully functioning calling centre.

According to ACP Alexson, the operation, codenamed Ops Dadu Mega, was conducted by the district Criminal Investigation Division with support from the Sarawak CID’s D7 branch.

The raids took place between 2pm and 2.12pm, indicating what police described as a swift and coordinated enforcement action based on prior intelligence gathering.

Police arrested 24 men and one woman, aged between 19 and 40, who were believed to be working full-time for the syndicate at the time of the raids.

In addition, three local men were detained for their alleged roles in facilitating or supporting the operation, though investigations into their specific involvement are ongoing.

ACP Alexson said officers seized numerous computers, mobile phones and other electronic devices suspected to have been used to manage online gambling activities and communicate with overseas customers.

“Preliminary investigations found that the syndicate had been operating the calling centre for about four months,” he said, adding that the group had attempted to maintain a low profile.

Police believe the syndicate relied heavily on digital platforms to promote gambling services, using messaging applications and dedicated websites to reach potential customers.

“They used WhatsApp and websites to promote various forms of online gambling to targeted customers in Australia and China,” ACP Alexson said.

Authorities said the operation demonstrated how online gambling syndicates continue to exploit cross-border digital communication to reach foreign markets while operating locally.

All suspects were brought before the Kuching Magistrate’s Court on 23 December 2025, where a three-day remand order was granted to facilitate further investigations.

The case is being investigated under Section 4(1)(g) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 for promoting gambling activities.

Foreign suspects are also being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for staying in Malaysia without a valid permit and overstaying.

Police said further arrests could follow as investigators analyse seized devices and financial records linked to the syndicate’s operations.

Broader trend of syndicates moving to smaller towns

The Kuching raids come amid growing concern among Malaysian law enforcement agencies that scam and online gambling syndicates are increasingly relocating from major cities to smaller or less conspicuous towns.

Police have previously warned that criminal groups are shifting away from high-end condominiums and urban centres in favour of budget accommodation and rented premises.

Authorities believe this strategy is intended to reduce visibility and avoid attracting attention from neighbours, property managers and enforcement agencies.

In a recent series of raids in Pahang, police arrested eight Chinese nationals aged between 28 and 39 at a budget hotel in Triang.

Investigators said the suspects had been occupying rooms on the upper floor of the hotel, where they conducted call-centre-style scam operations while keeping a low profile.

Police believe a local man acted as the mastermind, organising accommodation, supplying daily provisions and coordinating food deliveries directly to the suspects’ rooms.

A second raid in Pahang led to the arrest of five suspects at a rented premises in Puncak Lestari, Mentakab, on 2 December 2025.

That syndicate was believed to have offered non-existent foreign currency exchange services through online messaging platforms, targeting victims outside Malaysia.

Investigations found the group advertised fraudulent currency exchange services on Telegram, primarily targeting Chinese nationals.

Victims were reportedly persuaded to transfer funds, resulting in losses amounting to thousands of ringgit, according to police statements.