Over 150 mule accounts frozen, RM32mil seized in Penang gambling crackdown
GEORGE TOWN: Ongoing efforts to combat illegal gambling and online fraud continue to yield positive results, with police having successfully frozen more than 150 mule accounts in the state, involving over RM32 million in illicit funds.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (DAP – Padang Kota) said the freezing of these accounts formed part of the authorities' decisive actions, particularly through continuous enforcement operations such as Ops Dadu, aimed at dismantling online gambling syndicates and cyber fraud networks.
"Police are conducting ongoing operations like Ops Dadu to cripple gambling and scam syndicates," he told the state legislative assembly today.
He was responding to a question from Joseph Ng Soon Siang (DAP – Air Itam), who asked about the steps taken by the authorities to address gambling and fraud-related crimes.
Chow said that in 2023, a total of 2,337 complaints related to online gambling were recorded, resulting in 2,681 arrests and 1,390 charges being brought against suspects.
"For 2024, the number of cases declined to 1,510, with 1,810 arrests and 1,084 charges filed.
"As of March 2025, 485 cases have been recorded, leading to 542 arrests and 255 charges," he added.
He said the state government remained committed to working closely with all enforcement agencies to ensure illegal activities were tackled comprehensively, safeguarding the welfare and security of the people of Penang.
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