KUCHING: Police arrested a suspected illegal football betting agent during a raid on a coffee shop at King Centre, Jalan Simpang Tiga, here and disrupted betting activities linked to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Kuching Police Chief, ACP Alexson Naga Chabu, said the raid was carried out by officers and personnel from the district police headquarters (IPD) on July 8 following intelligence gathering.
He said a 26-year-old local man was arrested during the operations.
“Initial investigations found that the suspect was believed to be acting as a betting agent by sourcing customers around the area and accepting bets for FIFA World Cup 2026 matches,” he said.
Police also seized a mobile phone believed to have been used for betting transactions and cash suspected to be proceeds from the gambling activities.
Alexson said checks revealed that the suspect has one previous criminal record.
The case is being investigated under Section 6(3) of the Betting Act 1953 for allegedly conducting illegal betting activities.
Upon conviction, the offence carries a fine of between RM20,000 and RM200,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
Alexson urged members of the public with information on illegal gambling activities to contact the Kuching IPD Operations Room at 082-244444 or visit the nearest police station.
