Key points:
- Syndicates pay foreigners to use their identities for SIM card registration
- SIMs used to operate gambling websites and advertise on social media
- Operations run from high-security condominiums and involve influencers
Online gambling syndicates in Malaysia are using foreign identities to register SIM cards, allowing them to operate anonymously and evade detection, according to the Royal Malaysia Police, as reported by New Straits Times.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the groups pay foreigners for their personal details, which are then used to register large volumes of SIM cards.
These SIM cards power a wide range of illicit activities including the operation of gambling websites, managing social media accounts and distributing promotional content.
Authorities say the approach complicates investigations, as the cards are not tied to the real perpetrators. Once a SIM card is blocked or traced, syndicates simply replace it with another registered under a different name.
Good to know: Syndicates operate from high-security condominiums using multiple SIMs per member. They frequently relocate and employ influencers to widen gambling outreach
Adding to the concern, the syndicates have begun recruiting social media influencers with large followings to advertise gambling platforms to the public. Razarudin noted that the online nature of these operations, with no physical contact and fully digital transactions, has allowed them to flourish despite regulatory efforts.
Police continue to face difficulties working with telecom providers to block such services. As syndicates evolve their methods, authorities warn that enforcement alone may be insufficient without stronger cross-agency and industry cooperation.
