Malaysian cops shot as cyber ringleader escapes custody

Last week the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) announced that many senior officers of the Kuala Lumpur police are being detained accused of supporting an illicit online gaming and money laundering ring. 

When some of the (non-cop) persons linked to the online gambling activity were in the process of being released on parole, police gathered at the MACC headquarters entrance to re-arrest the suspects and assist in investigating the gambling operations.

But the alleged ringleader of the casino enterprise did make his escape long before those cops could pounce. With the aid of two bodyguards, CCTV video shows him jumping over a side gate of the building, during which he hopped into a car waiting by the side of the road and dissapeared in the unknown direction.

The escaped perpetrator was later identified as Goh Leong Yeong, a 32-year-old man, allegedly operating several online gambling sites located in Malaysia that mainly catered to Chinese gamblers on the mainland. Goh, who is also named as 'Alvin', has allegedly been involved on behalf of several Malaysian celebrities in a money laundering activity.

Since then, Malaysian media also confirmed that Goh has allocated up to RM4m (US$964k) a month to several dozen local institution members to ensure that their activities have not been rumbled. The recipients allegedly included "influential people, officers and policemen who have been detained or investigated by the MACC".

Such a number means that Goh's local activities, allegedly begun five years ago, must have been substantial. There are undoubtedly some difficult questions that are now being raised to decide if this cash outlay guaranteed Goh's escape from police clutches.

Goh has also allegedly used a fake 'datuk seri aka 'grand commander' honorary title to lend a degree of respectability to his operations. 

It is unknown if the next thing is linked to Goh, but on Monday Kuala Lumpur police announced the arrest of 48 Chinese nationals suspected of operating an illicit online gambling activity out of three luxurious condos. Police confiscated 245 phones, 41 computers and a small amount of cash from the suspects, whose action allegedly targeted Chinese gamblers on the mainland through social media platforms.