Penang police arrest 9 suspects and seize equipment after raiding two illegal World Cup football betting call centers in Gelugor and Butterworth.
GEORGE TOWN: Penang police have busted two call centres involved in football betting activities during the 2026 FIFA World Cup following raids in Gelugor and Butterworth, arresting nine individuals.
Penang police chief Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng (pic) said the raids were part of Op Soga XI from June 11 to July 19 to curb such activities throughout the state.
READ MORE: Police launch Op Soga XI for World Cup gambling crackdown
“In the first raid on June 26 at a condominium unit in The Light Collection 1, Gelugor, police arrested four individuals, comprising a local woman and three foreign men aged between 29 and 44.
“Investigations revealed that the syndicate had used the premises as a call centre to manage customer accounts, oversee transactions and promote online football betting through the website 137.com,” he said in a statement tonight.
He said police also seized several computers, mobile phones and various electronic devices used in the illegal operation during the raid.
Lim said in the second raid, conducted yesterday at a condominium unit in Marminton Homes, Butterworth, police arrested five local men aged between 27 and 41.
He said the syndicate had operated World Cup football betting through the Nova88 website, using the residence as its call centre.
“The syndicate’s modus operandi was to use residential premises as a call centre to manage customer accounts, receive and monitor online football bets, and provide customer support using computers and telephones connected to the gambling platform.
“During the raid, we seized six computers, mobile phones of various brands, internet modems and various computer equipment used in the betting activities,” he said.
Lim said all the suspects had been remanded until July 1 to assist investigations, with the case being investigated under Section 4(1)(e) of the Betting Act 1953 and Section 4(1)(g) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
He said that so far, under Op Soga XI, Penang police had conducted 21 raids, arrested 28 individuals and seized RM8,935 in cash, along with various equipment used in online gambling activities.
“Penang police will continue intensifying Op Soga XI throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup, focusing on detecting call centres, betting agents, organisers and individuals involved in gambling activities, whether physically or online,” he said.
