Labuan: Labuan police have crippled an online scam syndicate with the arrest of 13 Chinese nationals operating from a double-storey house near Pulau Buah here.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Labuan police chief Supt Mohd Hamizi Halim stated that the suspects were arrested on Feb 28 during a raid conducted in collaboration with the Labuan Immigration, following intelligence and information received from the public. During the raid, police seized 21 sets of computers and 83 mobile phones believed to have been used for online scam activities.

Mohd Hamizi mentioned that the syndicate had likely shifted its operations from major cities to Labuan as a strategy to avoid detection. 'We believe this is part of their strategy to avoid detection,' he told Bernama today. This marks the first time police have detected a group of Chinese nationals operating such a syndicate on the island.

Efforts are underway to identify and track down the mastermind behind the syndicate. The 13 suspects, comprising 12 men and one woman aged between 26 and 47, have been remanded until March 6 to assist in investigations. The case is being investigated under Sections 420 and 120B of the Penal Code for cheating and criminal conspiracy.

Four of the suspects lacked valid travel documents and will also be investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. The investigation papers have been forwarded to the Sabah State Prosecution Office for further action. So far this year, 26 commercial crime cases related to online scams have been reported in Labuan, with losses amounting to about RM688,319.