Malaysian police have apprehended over 300 individuals in a nationwide operation targeting illegal football betting and online gambling activities, specifically linked to the FIFA World Cup 2026. This comprehensive crackdown spanned across the entire country, demonstrating a significant effort to combat illicit wagering.
Datuk M. Kumar, the Head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), confirmed that this extensive operation was initiated in direct response to a notable surge in illegal football betting observed since June 11, coinciding with the commencement of the global football tournament. During the campaign, Malaysian police forces executed raids on 293 different locations, leading to the arrest of 331 suspects. Among those arrested, 234 were Malaysian nationals, while the remaining 97 were foreign individuals. The operation also resulted in the seizure of over $30,000 in cash, and authorities successfully uncovered illegal betting syndicates estimated to be handling nearly $650,000 in illicit transactions.
In a strategic move to disrupt the online infrastructure supporting these illegal activities, the Criminal Investigation Department is actively collaborating with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). This partnership aims to effectively shut down advertising and promotional content for gambling across various websites and social media platforms. So far, Malaysian authorities have identified 185 distinct online websites, mobile applications, and social media accounts that were being utilized for football betting and the broader promotion of gambling. Mr. Kumar further elaborated that these investigations are being conducted under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to combating illegal gambling activities through robust legal frameworks. He also appealed to the public, encouraging them to provide any relevant information that could assist authorities in addressing this persistent issue.
