KUALA LUMPUR: A man, wanted by the Indonesian police for allegedly running an illegal online gambling operation in the country, was nabbed in Malaysia and sent back to Jakarta a few days ago.
The suspect, known as Apin BK was picked up on Thursday, in a joint operation by the Indonesian National Police and the Royal Malaysia Police.
Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani confirmed that the man was wanted for alleged involvement in illegal gambling activities in Indonesia.
"He surrendered to the Indonesia authorities after they tracked him down in Kuala Lumpur. He was arrested and sent back to Jakarta for further investigations." he told Berita Harian yesterday.
Acryl Sani said the suspect was also wanted for money laundering activities there.
In a related development, Indonesia's National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo said on Aug 9, the suspect had escaped to Singapore when North Sumatra police raided an online gambling bookies premises at the Cemara Asri Complex, in Deli, Serdang.
Several personnel were then deployed to pursue the high-class online bookmaker who then ran off to Malaysia, Listyo Sigit said.
Reportedly, 14 suspected online gambling operators under Apin BK's network were also arrested on Thursday.
Listyo Sigit said Apin BK has been placed at the Criminal Investigation Agency's detention centre in Jakarta for questioning.
"This arrest is our commitment to eradicating illegal online gambling in the country," he said.