Authorities in Penang have frozen more than 150 mule accounts linked to online gambling activities, involving a staggering RM32 million in transactions between 2023 and 2024.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow revealed the figures during a state legislative assembly session, emphasizing ongoing police efforts under Ops Dadu—a nationwide crackdown targeting illegal gambling and scam syndicates.
Thousands Arrested Over Online Gambling Crimes
According to Chow, enforcement in 2023 led to 2,681 arrests related to 2,337 online gambling cases, with 1,390 charges filed in court. Meanwhile, in 2024, police have already made 1,810 arrests in connection with 1,510 cases, resulting in 1,084 charges.
As of March 2024, operations have continued at full force. Chow reported 542 arrests involving 485 cases, with 255 individuals charged in court.
Stronger Laws and Technology in Use
In response to the growing threat of cybercrime, Chow noted that the federal government has amended the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, introducing harsher penalties for online gambling and digital scams.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has blocked thousands of gambling websites, specifically 6,381 sites between 2020 and 2022. In addition, more than 212,000 phone lines used for gambling spam and scam activities have been terminated.
Joint Forces and Community Outreach
Efforts extend beyond law enforcement. Chow said the Royal Malaysia Police are working closely with the MCMC, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and local authorities in joint raids. Moreover, authorities have disconnected electricity and water supplies at properties identified as illegal gambling venues.
To tackle the issue at its roots, the government has also ramped up public awareness campaigns, educating citizens on the dangers of online gambling and scams through various platforms, including schools.
Sophisticated Crime Structures Still a Challenge
Despite these efforts, Chow acknowledged that syndicates continue to operate using multi-layered structures, making detection and enforcement more difficult.
To counter this, he urged social media platforms to invest in artificial intelligence tools that can identify and remove illegal gambling content more efficiently. Furthermore, he emphasized that compulsory licensing for social platforms is designed to improve accountability and streamline enforcement against harmful content.
