Kuala lumpur: Kuala Lumpur police arrested 1,156 individuals suspected of involvement in illegal gambling and scam activities during 868 raids across the federal capital from January 1 to June 23 this year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus stated that of the total, 24 individuals were detained in 22 raids under Op Soga IV, which specifically targeted World Cup 2026 football bookmaking. Various electronic devices were seized, and investigations are being conducted under the Betting Act 1953, the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and the Immigration Act 1959.

"Apart from that, police conducted 486 raids on illegal public lottery activities, leading to 487 arrests and the seizure of RM4,886 in cash and 451 mobile phones," Marsus added in a statement today.

Marsus further detailed that 341 individuals were detained following 322 raids on online gambling activities, with notable seizures including tablet computers, mobile phones, and internet networking equipment.

Police also targeted 21 premises suspected of operating as call centres for illegal syndicates. These operations led to the arrest of 152 individuals, alongside the seizure of 58 computers and 77 laptops.

In addition to these efforts, department personnel detained 146 individuals in 16 raids related to indoor gambling activities, leading to the seizure of RM10,842 in cash, thousands of chips, and mahjong tiles. Another six individuals were taken into custody in a raid involving outdoor gambling activities, with cash and playing card sets among the items seized.

Marsus concluded by highlighting the overall impact of the operation, which recorded total cash seizures amounting to RM45,033, betting values reaching RM96,878.58, and HK$32,799.75 in Hong Kong currency.