By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 19: Police have dismantled three illegal football betting syndicates linked to the FIFA World Cup 2026 following a series of coordinated raids around Kuching yesterday (June 18).
Kuching District Police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu said the operations were carried out by officers from the D7 Branch of the Sarawak Contingent Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Kuching District CID in three separate locations.
“Three women, aged between 25 and 45, were arrested in the raids. The suspects comprise one local and two foreign nationals, who are believed to have acted as agents for illegal betting activities,” he said in a statement today.
Police also seized several items, including mobile phones, betting-related documents, equipment believed to be used for gambling operations, and an undisclosed amount of cash.
“All three suspects tested negative for drugs during urine screening,” Alexson said, adding that preliminary investigations showed the betting activities were conducted online and linked to World Cup 2026 football wagering.
The suspects have been remanded to assist investigations.
The case is being investigated under Section 6(3) of the Betting Act 1953, which carries a fine of between RM5,000 and RM50,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both upon conviction.
Investigations are also being conducted under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which provides for imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to RM10,000, caning of up to six strokes, or a combination of these penalties.
Alexson said police will continue to intensify enforcement against illegal gambling syndicates, noting that such activities not only violate the law but also pose wider social harms.
He urged the public to channel any information on illegal gambling activities to the Kuching District Police Headquarters operations room or the nearest police station to support ongoing enforcement efforts. — DayakDaily
