Interpol coordinates crackdown on down on World Cup gambling in Asia

Interpol cracks down on World Cup gambling in Asia

PARIS — International police agency Interpol says that more than 5,000 people have been taken into custody in a crackdown in Asia on illegal World Cup gambling.

Police also seized $10 million in the operation targeting gambling linked to organized crime gangs.

China, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand took part in the crackdown, which was coordinated by Lyon, France-based Interpol.

Interpol said in a statement Friday that police in those countries “identified and raided nearly 800 illegal gambling dens which handled more than $155 million worth of bets.” The operation ran from June 11 to July 11.