Perak police dismantle 'Mushroom' lottery syndicate, arrest 4
Perak police chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said those arrested during the raids on three houses, which served as "counting centres" for the proceeds of the illegal lottery, were aged between 50 and 70.
He said that investigations showed all three premises were managed by gambling agents directly linked to the syndicate, known as the "Mushroom" syndicate, believed to have been active since 2020.
"It is believed the agents used these houses as counting centres for the lottery proceeds, with collections from the three locations estimated to total RM5 million monthly," he said at a press conference at the Perak police headquarters today.
Noor Hisam said that each agent was allocated a monthly credit limit — or betting pool — of RM4 million by the syndicate to manage bets for that month.
"If there was a winner, the syndicate would pay out from the RM4 million pool. If there were no winners, the amount would roll over to the following month.
"Police have also identified several sub-agents, agents, and syndicate organisers still operating in Ipoh. We will continue to take firm action to completely dismantle this network," he said.
The raids, carried out simultaneously by officers from the D7 Division of the Perak Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the CID units from district police headquarters, followed public tip-offs and intelligence gathering.
Several items were seized during the raids, including two desktop computers, five mobile phones, four credit cards, four debit cards, four notebooks, 10 slips of illegal lottery tickets, and RM110,119 in cash.
"We are still tracking additional areas targeted by the syndicate, as we believe they have extended their operations to other residential zones.
"We suspect a 'big boss' or financier is orchestrating these activities, supported by mobile sub-agents.
"Unlike the past, when records were written by hand, operations are now conducted via applications, making it more challenging for us to secure evidence," he added.
The case is being investigated under Section 4A(a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, which carries a maximum fine of RM200,000 or up to five years' imprisonment upon conviction.
In a separate matter, Noor Hisam said Perak CID had arrested 119 individuals in 87 raids under Op Mega Cantas Khas between 21 and 26 April 2025.
The special operation, involving the D4, D7, D9 divisions, and district-level CID teams, targeted a range of criminal activities including 13 cases of violent crime, 24 cases of property crime, and 50 non-index offences.
"In total, we screened and documented 1,180 individuals — including men and women, both locals and foreigners," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
5 minutes ago
- The Star
Zara Qairina case: Normal to amend charge if circumstances dictate, says Home Minister
KUALA LUMPUR: Charges pressed in court can always be amended according to findings from an inquest, the Dewan Rakyat has been told. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said an inquest would also stop once perpetrators are identified and affirmative evidence is discovered. "Then, the charges can be amended. This is something normal. "For example, someone is charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code but maybe it can be amended to Section 304. "For now, this is the decision of the Attorney General's Chambers," he said in his winding up speech in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (Aug 20). He was responding to a question by Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudeen (PN-Alor Setar) who asked about the case where five teenagers were charged with bullying 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir. The Opposition MP had asked if heavier charges could be pressed if there were new findings from the inquest. Earlier on Wednesday, the five teenagers pleaded not guilty after being charged in the Kota Kinabalu Children's Court under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code, read together with Section 35 of the same Code, for using abusive words against the victim. If convicted, they face up to one year's imprisonment, a fine or both. Separately, Saifuddin Nasution said it was not fair to claim that the police did not do their jobs in Zara Qairina's case. "Do not perceive this as a cover-up. When I look at the chronology of the investigation and how complete the statements were, I feel sad that only because of one aspect, the police is said to have failed," he said. The police drew flak after not conducting a post-mortem on Zara Qairina. The 13-year-old was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory in Papar on July 16 and died the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Her body was later exhumed and a post-mortem examination carried out. Federal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Comm Datuk M. Kumar later said that not conducting a post-mortem was against protocol and that an internal investigation would be conducted on the investigation officer and supervisor.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Five teens in Zara case escorted from court under tight security
KOTA KINABALIU: A police vehicle carrying five teenagers linked to the death of Zara Qairina Mahathir was seen leaving the Kota Kinabalu Court Complex here after proceedings at the Juvenile Court this morning. The vehicle was escorted under tight police security as it exited the court compound at 2.05pm before heading to an undisclosed location. The atmosphere outside the court complex remained under control with close monitoring by security forces. Earlier, the five teenagers who were brought before the Juvenile Court here this morning pleaded not guilty to charges of using insulting words against the late Zara Qairina Mahathir. The charges were made under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code and read together with Section 34 of the same act. Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad said all the accused were granted bail of RM5,000 each with one surety, and a deposit of RM1,000. "There was no guilty plea, the mention date is Sept 25. Each accused was granted bail of RM5,000 with a RM1,000 deposit and one surety," she told reporters outside the court today. Based on the charges, all five accused had common intention in using insulting words against the late Zara Qairina at a school in Papar between 10pm and 11pm on July 15, 2025.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Gag order: Media can report charges, bail but not minors' ages in Zara Qairina case
KOTA KINABALU: Counsel Ram Singh has applied for a gag order from the Court For Children during proceedings involving five teenagers in connection with the late Zara Qairina Mahathir's case. This was disclosed by deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad at the Kota Kinabalu Court Complex. "Lawyer Mr Ram Singh," she briefly told reporters when asked who applied for the gag order. When asked what could be reported following the imposition of the gag order, Nor Azizah said the media could report that the charges were read, that the teenagers did not plead guilty, and the details of the bails. She also reminded that the ages of the five minors could not be disclosed. They were jointly charged with using insulting words against the late Zara. They were accused of acting with a common intention and of using insulting words against the 13-year-old, which were heard and likely caused her distress on July 15 between 10pm and 11pm. They were charged under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the same Act, which carries a maximum penalty of one year's imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction. Each of the accused was granted bail of RM5,000, with RM1,000 to be deposited with a local surety. Zara, 13, was found unconscious at her school on July 16 and pronounced dead the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
