Paul Phua Arrested

Paul Phua Arrested

Wednesday, 16 July 2014

Paul Phua, one of the high rolling regulars to play in the richest poker games in the world, was arrested over the weekend for allegedly running an illegal betting ring in the Las Vegas.

According to a report in the Las Vegas Review Journal, Phua, who also plays online as 'MalACEsia', was arrested inside Caesars Palace by FBI agents along with his son, Darren Wai Kit Phua.

Also implicated in the illegal betting ring were six other Chinese and Malaysian nationals.

The FBI said that that Phua had links to the 14K Triad gang and that the betting ring - which had been accepting high stakes wagers on the World Cup - was helping to fund the organisation.

As well as uncovering Phua's alleged gambling operation in Vegas, FBI agents also outlined a similar incident which took place in Macau in June worth $100 million+.

Phua's bail was set at $2 million and his $48 million private jet was seized by the US authorities.

If convicted, the accused face up to two years in prison on the unlawful transmission count and up to five years in prison on the illegal gambling business count, as well as fines on each count of up to $250,000.

For more on the operation, check out the FBI statement.



Tags: Paul Phua, FBI