The police have crippled an illegal World Cup football betting syndicate with bets totalling RM15 million through 499 raids conducted under the operation codenamed Op Soga around the country, beginning June 14.

Bukit Aman CID director Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd said 589 individuals aged between 20 and 45 suspected to be agents or bookies were also arrested during the raids.

"In the raids, we seized computer equipment and mobile phones used for the activity as well as RM420,000 in cash.

"The investigation found that all the online gambling activities used websites registered overseas such as in Hong Kong and the Philippines," he said in a statement today.

Wan Ahmad Najmuddin said the case was being investigated under Section 4 (1) (C), 4 (1) (D) and Section 6 (3) of the Betting Act 1953.

– Bernama