Malaysian police arrest 120 bookies for running illegal World Cup soccer bets

Malaysian police say they have arrested 120 people across the country since the start of the World Cup for taking illegal soccer bets worth 300 million ringgit (C$950 million).

The youngest bookmaker arrested was a 15-year-old student and the oldest was 73, Bakri Zinin, Malaysia police's head of criminal investigations, told reporters Monday.

Zinin said those arrested include individuals and members of various criminal syndicates.

"They cannot run away. Now we are prepared," he said.

No charges have yet been filed as investigations are continuing, Bakri said. Running gambling betting rings is punishable by up to five years in jail.