SHAH ALAM: Police here have arrested a man and his wife for allegedly being the masterminds of an online gambling, loan shark and illegal bitcoin mining syndicate that raked in approximately RM50mil in profits.

       Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed said they first arrested 13 people after raiding four houses at Country Homes Rawang on July 6.

       "The suspects aged between 17 and 40 had been involved in operating online gambling activities for over a year.

       "Our checks revealed they were paid between RM2,500 and RM8,000 for various roles in the syndicate's activities," he told reporters on Monday (Aug 16).

       He said the 13 were charged at the Selayang Court Complex under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 three days after their arrest.

       "We continued investigations and intelligence gathering before arresting a 40-year-old man who went by the name Datuk Ken and his wife on Aug 11, also in Rawang.

       "Our investigations revealed the man was the mastermind of the syndicate. Further investigations showed he was connected not only to online gambling activities but also operated an illegal money-lending syndicate and illegal bitcoin mining activities," he said.

       Comm Arjunaidi added that the outfits had raked in profits of at least RM52mil and also said that police seized 14 vehicles including two sports cars.

       "We also froze 71 bank accounts linked to the syndicate and seized cash. The estimated seizure is valued at RM33mil," he said.

       Comm Arjunaidi also said police are now looking for two men, Chuah Seong Hooi and Heow Hee Soon, to help with further investigations.