KUALA LUMPUR: Over 150 people have been arrested with RM115,000 in bets seized by Bukit Aman since the 2020 UEFA European Championship began on June 10.

       Federal CID director Comm Datuk Seri Abdul Jalil Hassan said they launched Ops Soga VIII which would run from June 10 to July 13.

       "The main focus of the operations is to prevent and eradicate illegal betting for the championship.

       "Between June 10 and June 21, we launched 107 raids and arrested 152 individuals," he said in a statement on Wednesday (June 23).

       He said they also seized betting cash to the tune of RM115,132.

       "Our investigations revealed that the betting credit limit was also at RM11,645,227 based on individuals and syndicated betting records found.

       "We also seized an assortment of equipment including 24 computers, 11 laptops, one tablet, 166 mobile phones, five money counting machines, 12 modems, eight routers, two printers, 115 SIM cards, nine 2020 UEFA European Championship schedules, 43 books and sheets containing bets placed," he said.

       He said it was still premature to tell if the Ops Soga VIII this year was a success as there were still 20 days of the Championship to go.

       "Investigations revealed the modus operandi this year was also different with most syndicates opting for online services due to the lockdown as well as to avoid detection.

       "The Bukit Aman Anti Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division (D7) will redouble its efforts to monitor and take action against such activities.

       "We also urge the public to come forward with any information on such activities," he said.