According to reports in newspaper China Today, nine people have been arrested in connection with an illegal online gambling ring focusing on basketball wagering. The accused were targeted after their activities were brought to the attention of officers of the Taiwan Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB). $400,000 worth of computer servers and other computer equipment was confiscated by police while the nine people arrested were transferred to the Panchiao District Court Office. 

Chou Kuo-an (37) has been named by China Today as the alleged mastermind behind the gambling operation. His associate Huang Chun-chieh (30) is charged with operating the computer servers. A further seven people were arrested in Taipei County and Hsinchuan City. They are accused of collecting $10 million in local currency each week.

The group's activities were detected after the CIB received a tip-off from an unknown source. Investigations found that several online gambling websites were being used to promote illegal sports gambling. The group allegedly employed agents in multiple areas who were tasked with recruiting new gamblers. These local agents were paid in commission according to how many bets they received each week from the gamblers in their area.

According to the CIB, Chou developed the gambling business last September, setting up such sites as "Dr. B," "E Post Office," and "Big Sports." Computer servers were housed in Hsinchuan on the premises of a legitimate company.

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