Malaysia Immigration Cracks Down on Foreign Online Gambling Syndicate, 19 Arrested in Bukit Bintang
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20: The Malaysian Immigration Department (Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia, JIM) has successfully dismantled an online gambling syndicate operated by foreigners in the Bukit Bintang area, resulting in the arrest of 19 individuals, officials said.
The operation, carried out on Jan 19, 2026, covered Jalan Alor, Jalan Changkat, and Jalan Bedara. It involved 25 officers from the Special Tactical Team (PASTAK) under the Intelligence and Special Operations Division at the Immigration Headquarters in Putrajaya. The raid followed a month-long intelligence-gathering effort to identify the syndicate’s operational hubs.
During the operation, authorities inspected 31 foreign nationals and two local men. A total of 19 individuals were detained: 12 Bangladeshi men, four Myanmar men, and three Indonesian men, aged between 21 and 50. All were believed to have violated Sections 6(1)(c) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for lacking valid travel documents and overstaying in Malaysia. In addition, two local men and one local woman were issued notices to appear at the Immigration Office to assist with further investigations.
Immigration officers also seized equipment linked to the syndicate, including 59 tablets of various brands, three monitors, three CCTV decoders, and one WiFi-enabled CCTV unit.
The syndicate reportedly targeted foreign nationals as their primary customers, offering small-scale investments ranging from RM50 to RM500 with promises of high returns within a short period. Operations were conducted daily, especially during night hours, and were heavily secured, including “Captain” guards and facial recognition checks for customers. The gambling dens were hidden within rental homes and small businesses to avoid detection by authorities.
Immigration Director General Dato’ Zakaria bin Shaaban emphasized that the operation reflects Malaysia Immigration’s ongoing commitment to law enforcement and pledged continued action against individuals violating the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, Immigration Regulations 1963, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM).
The public has been urged to refrain from participating in or supporting illegal immigration-related activities and to report any information to authorities to aid in the fight against crime.