Key points:
- Four suspects arrested in coordinated raids across Ipoh
- Over RM110,000 in cash and lottery paraphernalia confiscated
- Syndicate operated unlicensed lotteries through mobile platforms
As reported by Malay Mail, Perak police have dismantled an illegal lottery syndicate operating across Ipoh, arresting four suspects, including a woman, in three separate raids conducted on 27 April.
Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin, Perak police chief, said the suspects, aged between 40 and 70, are believed to be members of a syndicate involved in unlicensed public lottery activities. Officers from the Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division (D7) of the state police headquarters’ Criminal Investigation Department carried out the operation.
Items seized during the raids included computers, mobile phones, 10 lottery slips and RM110,119 in cash. Noor Hisam stated that investigations revealed the syndicate had been active since 2020, operating primarily within the Ipoh district.
He explained that the agents were directly involved with the organisers and typically conducted illegal lottery sales through mobile platforms to avoid police detection. The agents used their homes as locations to tally proceeds from the illicit activities.
The case is being investigated under Section 4(a)(a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, which covers offences related to the promotion of unlicensed public lotteries.
In a separate development, Noor Hisam also reported that police had arrested 119 individuals in 87 raids during "Op Mega Cantas Khas" conducted across Perak last week. The arrests involved suspects linked to violent crimes, property crimes and other offences, reflecting the state's ongoing efforts to curb criminal activities.
