Penang:Penang police have arrested 141 individuals, including nine locals, in a series of 14 raids targeting call centres suspected of conducting various online scam operations throughout the state between October 9 and 29.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the operation was spearheaded by the state Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) and involved five raids in the Timur Laut district, six in the Barat Daya district, and three in Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT). These actions followed extensive intelligence gathering and surveillance efforts.

The arrested individuals include 93 Chinese nationals, 29 Vietnamese, four Japanese, three Taiwanese, two Cambodians, one Myanmar national, and nine locals, all aged between 18 and 48. These suspects are believed to be part of different groups or syndicates involved in various scams, including investment scams, love scams, impersonation of police officers, and fraudulent job offers. They reportedly used platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, WeChat, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to carry out their operations.

The syndicates had allegedly rented houses in recent months, using Penang as a base to target victims overseas, including in China, Japan, the United States, Brazil, and Hong Kong. During the raids, police seized equipment valued at RM1.4 million, including mobile phones, laptops, tablets, internet routers, electronic equipment, and computer accessories, believed to be used in the operations.

Additionally, police are investigating possible abuse of immigration passes and facilities for illegal activities, although most foreigners detained had entered Malaysia legally with valid passports. All suspects have been remanded, and the case is being investigated under Section 420 read together with Section 120B of the Penal Code, as well as Section 6(3) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.