THE Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau arrested 215 people Thursday for their alleged involvement in online soccer gambling during the FIFA World Cup, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported.

The public security bureau launched a crackdown on online soccer gambling Thursday. A task force with some experienced police officers was organized to participate in the action with the assistance of the security patrol and cyber police.

At 2:13 a.m. Thursday, over 1,000 police officers acted simultaneously to detain 215 people, including 79 dealers and 126 gamblers. Their personal belongings, such as mobile phones and computers, were seized.

According to the Daily report, these gamblers put over 300 million yuan (US$44.84 million) into online soccer gambling. The case is still under investigation. (Cui Chenxin)