Mass arrests in Asia over World Cup gambling

Interpol sting nets 5,000 people in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand

Interpol have arrested 5,000 people and seized US$10 million in raids of nearly 800 illegal gambling dens across Asia whose combined business was worth over US$155 million. The gambling crackdown, called Operation Soga III, ran from June 11 to July 11 with arrests made in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Interpol’s chief of police Jean-Michel Louboutin says the Soga operations—the first and second editions took place during the two previous World Cup tournaments— have resulted in nearly 7,000 arrests and seizures of more than $26 million. It’s not clear whether or not the results matches were affected by the gambling.

BBC News