Chinese, Malaysians detained in Philippines raid on online gambling ring

The 90 Chinese and two Malaysians were arrested after police spotted them flouting quarantine restrictions and followed them into a rented flat

Inside officers found 53 laptops, more than 100 cellphones and an undisclosed amount of cash - thought to be proceeds from the operation

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Legitimate Chinese gambling business has been a huger source of revenue for the Philippines. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 4:32pm, 31 May 2020Updated: 4:31pm, 31 May 2020

Philippine police have arrested 90 Chinese for running an online gambling hub without permits and for violating quarantine restrictions, officials said on Sunday.

Police made the mass arrests on Friday after spotting some of the suspects converging closely without face masks outside a rented flat in violation of quarantine restrictions, in Cavite province south of Manila. The suspects ran into the flat, where police discovered the gambling operation, officials said.

Two Malaysians were also arrested, police said.

A police statement said 48 of the suspects “were working on an online game while the rest were gathering and loitering without face masks, smoking, and socialising with each other disregarding social distancing guidelines.”

Licensed operators of online casinos have been a source of huge revenue for the government-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. Photo: Tory Ho

Police seized 53 laptops, more than 100 cellphones and cash. The suspects could not show passports and work and business permits, and face criminal complaints, police said.