KUCHING: Police have busted three illegal FIFA World Cup 2026 football betting operations in separate raids conducted around the city, leading to the arrest of three women suspected of acting as betting agents.
Kuching Police Chief, ACP Alexson Naga Chabu, said the operations were carried out on Thursday (June 18) by personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sarawak Police Contingent Headquarters and (IPK) the Kuching Police Headquarters CID.
He said the raids resulted in the arrest of three women aged between 25 and 45, comprising one local and two foreign nationals.
“Initial investigations found that the betting activities were conducted through online platforms believed to be linked to FIFA World Cup 2026 football betting,” he said in a statement today (June 19).
He added that police also seized several items believed to be connected to the gambling activities, including mobile phones, betting-related documents, equipment used in the operations, and cash.
“Urine screening tests conducted on all three suspects returned negative results for drugs.
“The suspects have been detained to facilitate further investigations under Section 6(3) of the Betting Act 1953, which carries a fine of between RM5,000 and RM50,000 and imprisonment of up to three years upon conviction,” he added.
He added that investigations are also being conducted under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
“Under the provision, offenders may face imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both, as well as up to six strokes of the cane if convicted,” he said.
Alexson stressed that police would continue intensifying efforts to curb illegal gambling activities, which not only violate the law but also bring various social problems to the community.
He also urged members of the public with information on illegal gambling activities to channel the information to the Kuching District Police operations room or the nearest police station to assist enforcement and crime prevention efforts.
