Police have arrested three women suspected of acting as agents for illegal betting activities linked to the FIFA World Cup 2026 during separate operations conducted in Kuching on Thursday.
Kuching District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Alexson Naga Chabu said the arrests were carried out by the D7 Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Sarawak Police Contingent Headquarters, with assistance from the Kuching District Police Headquarters CID team.
During the operations, officers also seized several items believed to be connected to the gambling activities, including mobile phones, betting-related documents, equipment suspected of being used for gambling operations and cash.
“The three women arrested are aged between 25 and 45. They comprise one local woman and two foreign nationals. Urine screening tests conducted on all three suspects returned negative results for drugs,” he said in a statement.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the betting activities were conducted through online platforms believed to be offering wagers on FIFA World Cup 2026 matches.
Alexson said all three suspects have been remanded to facilitate investigations under Section 6(3) of the Betting Act 1953.
The offence carries a penalty of a fine ranging from RM5,000 to RM50,000 and imprisonment of up to three years upon conviction.
The two foreign suspects are also being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for allegedly failing to possess valid travel documents.
If convicted, they face a jail term of up to five years, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both, as well as up to six strokes of the cane.
Police said they will continue intensifying efforts to combat illegal gambling activities, which not only violate the law but can also create negative social consequences within the community.
Alexson also urged members of the public with information related to gambling activities to contact the Kuching District Police Headquarters Operations Centre or the nearest police station.
Authorities believe public cooperation remains crucial in tackling illegal betting syndicates and preventing the spread of unlawful gambling operations.
