496 Undocumented Migrants Detained After Online Gambling Hub Busted

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 The gambling centre had operated from three units of an apartment block in Serdang, registered under the names of locals.
Immigration deputy director-general of operations Jafri Embok Taha said the case has been handed over to the Subang Jaya City Council for further investigation. (Bernama pic)SERDANG: The authorities have uncovered an illegal online gambling hub operating from three units of a four-storey apartment block in Pusat Bandar Putra Permai here
The gambling centre was busted during a joint raid by the immigration department, Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), and General Operations Force last night.
Immigration deputy director-general of operations Jafri Embok Taha said preliminary investigations revealed that the three units were registered under the names of three local individuals, according to utility bill records.
“When officers arrived at the residential units, the premises were already empty. It is believed that the suspects fled, leaving behind only a few tablets, monitors, chairs and tables.
“We have handed the case over to MBSJ for further investigation and action,” he said in a press conference after the operation.
He said all three units were equipped with CCTVs to monitor movements outside. Their operations targeted customers from among the undocumented migrants residing in the apartment.
Jafri Embok said 496 undocumented migrants were taken to the Semenyih immigration detention centre after the inspection of 741 foreigners in the operation, which ran from 10pm to 1am.
“The suspected offences include violations under the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, Immigration Regulations 1963 and Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007,” he said.
He added that similar joint operations would be conducted periodically, and reminded the public not to employ, harbour or house foreigners without valid travel documents.
Jafri Embok also said that the Migrant Repatriation Programme (PRM) 2.0 would run from May 19 this year until April 30, 2026.
Under the programme, undocumented migrants are allowed to return to their home countries by paying a RM500 compound and a special pass fee of RM20.
“In total, only RM520 is charged. In Selangor, there are four locations for PRM implementation: Shah Alam, Kelana Jaya, Port Klang, and Kajang,” he said. - FMT

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