Kuala lumpur: The Immigration Department has dismantled an online gambling syndicate operating covertly from a luxury residence, arresting 11 Chinese nationals during a special operation at Jalan P. Ramlee, Kuala Lumpur.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban stated that during the 3.50 pm operation, personnel from the department’s Intelligence and Special Operations Division at the Putrajaya Immigration headquarters arrested 10 men and one woman, aged between 20 and 40. The syndicate had converted luxury residential units into online gambling operation centers managed by Chinese nationals and targeting overseas markets. They used Telegram and WhatsApp for promotional and communication purposes.

Checks revealed that two men had misused their Social Visit Passes, five others had overstayed, while three men and one woman did not possess any valid travel documents or passes to remain in the country. The team seized seven Chinese passports, 11 laptops, seven mobile phones, three computer sets, and cash amounting to RM3,900.

All the suspects are being detained on suspicion of committing offenses under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963, Section 15(4), and Section 6(3) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. They have been taken to the Putrajaya Immigration Office for further investigation.