Kulim:Kedah Kedah Police have dismantled an online scam syndicate where suspects impersonated Indian police officers. The operation occurred during a raid on a business premises in Bandar Putra, Kulim, last Friday.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the joint operation, conducted at 800 pm, resulted in the arrest of 48 individuals suspected of being syndicate members. Among those arrested were seven locals, eight Indian nationals, and 33 Pakistani nationals.
The syndicate, which began operations in late August, used a three-story shoplot to conduct online scams by impersonating Indian police officers. They targeted victims from India, using the Telegram app to communicate and falsely claim that the victims' phone numbers were involved in illegal activities. Victims were then persuaded to transfer money to bank accounts provided for supposed police investigations.
Police investigations revealed that the syndicate members, aged between 20 to 43, were allegedly duped into these activities after applying for jobs advertised on social media. They were added to a Telegram group and promised salaries between RM2,500 to RM3,500 a month.
It was also found that the syndicate members did not possess valid travel documents for entry into Malaysia. To date, 73 individuals have been scammed by this syndicate, with losses totaling nearly RM1.4 million. Police seized various items during the raid, including 89 mobile phones, seven laptops, modems, monitors, Indian police uniforms, and flags, with the total value of the seizures estimated at RM70,000.
The case is under investigation under Section 420 of the Penal Code, Section 120B of the Penal Code, and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. Additional arrests were made yesterday at 600 pm, involving two local men and three local women, aged 44 to 51, who were identified as the premises owners, real estate agents, and renters. These arrests took place around Kulim and Tanjung Piandang, Perak, and checks revealed that these new suspects have no prior criminal records.
The police have credited public information for the success of the operation and have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious scam activities.