State immigration director Rusdi Darus said “Op Serkap” was launched on April 29 after a week of surveillance. This followed a tip-off about suspicious activities at a high-end apartment, Bernama reported.

Eight foreign nationals, comprising two Chinese men aged 35 and 38, a seven-year-old Chinese child, and five Thai women aged between 33 and 38, were detained during the raid.

“Investigations revealed that the syndicate raked in lucrative profits, reaching RM900,000 a month.

“They are believed to have been operating in the country for the past three months,” he said.

The syndicate had used the residence as a call centre, targeting players in Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.

They contacted players via mobile phones to arrange money transactions through banks in those countries. The operators at the apartment were then responsible for crediting points for the players.

Rusdi said they seized RM2,500 in cash, seven computers, 34 smartphones and a printer.

He said the 38-year-old Chinese national is believed to be the mastermind. The others managed transactions and bets.