Online gambling syndicates in Malaysia are increasingly using foreign identities to register SIM cards, enabling them to operate covertly and evade law enforcement efforts. This strategy has posed significant challenges for authorities, as the syndicates continue to exploit loopholes to expand their reach while avoiding detection.

According to law enforcement sources, these criminal groups offer foreigners a fee in exchange for their personal details, which are used to register multiple SIM cards. These cards are then employed to manage various illicit activities, including running gambling websites, operating fake social media accounts, and disseminating online gambling promotions.

The use of foreign identities has proven to be an effective tactic for masking the true operators behind these illegal activities. “The use of SIM cards registered under unrelated individuals or fake identities makes it increasingly difficult for police to identify the actual masterminds behind these syndicates,” an insider source explained, as cited by the New Straits Times.

A Complicated Enforcement Challenge

The Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) has found it difficult to combat this growing issue due to the nature of these operations. When SIM cards are blocked or traced, the syndicates are quick to replace them with new cards registered under different names, making it difficult for authorities to maintain any lasting control. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain highlighted the complexity of the problem, stating, “The syndicates have become increasingly sophisticated, often operating out of high-security condominiums, where access is restricted and enforcement becomes more challenging.”

These syndicates also engage in a practice of rotating their operations by frequently relocating their call centers, further complicating law enforcement efforts. The luxury condominiums they use are equipped with security features, making it harder for authorities to gain access and carry out their investigations.

Furthermore, the completely digital nature of these platforms—where transactions, registrations, and payments are conducted online—makes it easier for the syndicates to remain under the radar. The lack of face-to-face interaction eliminates any physical evidence that could assist investigators in identifying the culprits.

Influencers Used to Broaden Reach

In an attempt to broaden their reach, these gambling syndicates have also begun leveraging the popularity of social media influencers. According to Razarudin, the syndicates recruit individuals with large social media followings to promote gambling platforms and encourage illegal betting. This tactic has allowed the syndicates to reach a wider audience, including younger, more tech-savvy individuals who might be unaware of the legal and financial risks associated with online gambling.

Social media’s vast influence has enabled these illegal operations to thrive, even as law enforcement continues to struggle with blocking their activities. The use of influencers has further raised concerns about the ease with which these gambling syndicates can bypass traditional forms of regulation and expand their audience.

Challenges in Cooperation with Telecom Providers

Another obstacle to tackling the issue lies in the difficulty authorities face in collaborating with telecom providers to block the services. Despite numerous attempts, enforcement agencies continue to encounter resistance and delays when trying to prevent access to these illegal platforms. Police have expressed frustration with the lack of cooperation from service providers, which further undermines efforts to disrupt the syndicates’ operations.

Razarudin emphasized that although enforcement is essential, it alone may not be enough to effectively combat the problem. “As these syndicates continue to evolve and refine their methods, stronger cross-agency cooperation and collaboration with industry stakeholders will be crucial in addressing this growing challenge,” he said.

A Call for Enhanced Measures

As the problem escalates, law enforcement agencies are calling for stronger regulatory measures and better cooperation between agencies and the telecommunications industry. Without more robust coordination, the current approach may not be enough to halt the rapid expansion of illegal online gambling platforms.

Authorities are exploring new strategies and seeking technological solutions that could allow them to better trace and block SIM cards used for illegal activities. However, with the syndicates’ ability to adapt quickly and their reliance on digital platforms, it remains a significant challenge to keep pace with their operations.

Singapore, Malaysia Police Break Up Illegal Horse Betting Syndicate

In related news, a joint operation between Singapore and Malaysian police has resulted in the arrest of 16 individuals and ongoing investigations into 41 others for their alleged involvement in an illegal horse betting syndicate.

On June 11, simultaneous raids were conducted across Singapore and Malaysia. In Singapore, officers from the Singapore Police Force’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Special Operations Command arrested 14 men and one woman, aged 50 to 78. They seized gambling paraphernalia, mobile phones, cash, and three bank accounts holding approximately US$200,000 (RM662,000) suspected of being criminal proceeds.

In Malaysia, a 53-year-old Singaporean man was apprehended by the Royal Malaysia Police’s CID and is set to be charged on June 13 under the Gambling Control Act.

The police are also investigating 41 individuals, including 40 men and one woman, aged 47 to 84, who are believed to have acted as bookmakers, runners, or punters. The raids were conducted in various neighborhoods across Singapore, where over US$17,000 in cash, along with mobile phones and betting materials, was seized.

Under the Gambling Control Act, offenders face fines of up to US$10,000, up to six months in prison, or both, while operators could face fines of up to US$500,000 and up to seven years in jail.