2026 World Cup Betting Syndicate Busted In Taman Desa

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have dismantled a 2026 World Cup football tournament betting syndicate believed to be masterminded by a Canadian national here, yesterday morning.

The syndicate used an office lot on the eighth floor of a building in Taman Desa here as a betting centre and to promote online gambling.

The raid, conducted by the Kuala Lumpur Gambling, Vice and Secret Societies Division (D7) at 11.30 am, also led to the discovery of credit balances in the form of digital currency valued at AS$323,380.22 (RM1.3 million) as well as cash totalling RM18,817.

Kuala Lumpur Police Chief, Datuk Fadil Marsus, said the syndicate targeted customers in South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong who wished to place bets on football matches.

Office lot rental

“When raided, police also found credit balances in the form of digital currency, namely bets placed on four World Cup semi-final matches.

“Initial investigations found that the syndicate had rented this office lot for the past six months, but began promotional and betting activities only three months ago to avoid detection by the authorities.

“Police arrested 11 individuals involving six South Korean men and three local men as well as two local women,” he told BH yesterday.

He said one of the women arrested is believed to be the manager and caretaker of the premises as well as a worker promoting the bets.

“All arrests and seizures have been taken to the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters for further action to assist investigations under Section 4(1)(e) of the Open Gambling Houses Act 1953,” he said.

Berita Harian