Malaysia's Op Soga XI: 554 Arrested, Over RM3 Million in Betting Money Seized

Malaysian police have intensified their efforts to combat illegal gambling and online betting with "Op Soga XI," a nationwide operation that has led to the arrest of 554 individuals. Among those detained are 213 foreigners, highlighting the cross-border nature of these illicit activities.

The operation targeted both football betting and the promotion of gambling across various platforms, including websites, apps, and social media. Authorities seized RM167,062.09 in cash and identified betting values totaling RM3,249,384.34. The police also identified 263 websites used for these activities, working with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) to block and remove their content.

Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Bukit Aman, Datuk M. Kumar, stated that the arrests were made under the Betting Act 1953 and the Immigration Act 1959/63. The operation is specifically focused on curbing illegal gambling and betting during the FIFA World Cup 2026, which runs from June 11 to July 19. The police have reiterated their commitment to taking firm action against all involved parties and are appealing to the public to provide information on illegal gambling activities.