Ipoh:Police have arrested five Chinese nationals suspected of being involved in an investment scam syndicate during a raid on a house in Anjung Bercham Utama last Friday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin stated that the suspects, all men aged between 26 and 43, were detained around 6.30 pm after authorities received information about the scam. Initial investigations and conversation scripts found on seized computers suggest that the syndicate operated a call centre to conduct non-existent online investment scams.

The syndicate is believed to have been operating from the premises since September, with a focus on targeting victims in Germany. The operation utilized WhatsApp and local internet access, employing profile pictures of attractive women to randomly contact potential victims.

Victims were reportedly persuaded to join investment schemes purportedly based in Germany, which promised high returns. They were then asked to make repeated payments. Police seized five computers, ten mobile phones, and four routers, collectively valued at approximately RM25,000.

The suspects have been remanded for four days, starting last Saturday until tomorrow, to assist in investigations under Section 420 and Section 120B of the Penal Code, along with Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.