Police move against scammers, 145 mule account holders detained

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 145 mule account holders have been detained following a three-week swoop nationwide against scammers, says Deputy Comm Datuk Saiful Azly Kamaruddin.

The Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) acting director said each of those detained had at least three accounts used by scammers.

“The basic modus operandi for mule accounts are large sum of money will be transferred into the account and will be withdrawn soon after.

“Those detained were 90 men and 55 women aged between 19 and 63. The accounts were used for various cyber-crimes, including Macau Scam, loan scams and e-commerce scams,” he told a press conference at CCID headquarters on Friday.

Those detained gave multiple explanations such as being “duped” into being mule account holders, including claiming that their banking information was misused when they borrowed from loan sharks, or giving their bank account and ATM details to new acquaintances they met online, he added.

“Some even claimed that they lost their wallets, which contained their ATM cards and other banking details.

“However, there are also those who willingly let their accounts be used by the scammers.

"They are paid between RM100 and RM300 if they rent out their ATM cards and bank accounts, while some are even paid between RM250 and RM550 if they sold their ATM cards,” DCP Saiful Azly said.

The group of people targeted to become mule account holders are usually drug addicts, those who have blacklisted accounts in the past, those in need of work, housewives and senior citizens, college students, social workers and those with mental disability.

“While some of them are willing participants because they are desperate for money, there are also those who are fooled into surrendering their account details to the scammers,” he said.

DCP Saiful advised the public not to be fooled by the promise of monetary gain in exchange for surrendering their accounts to scammers,

“They should always stay vigilant while in the midst of financial transaction with individuals, financial institutions, or money-lending agencies.

“Never disclose your banking details and information to anyone or give your ATM cards to anyone, be it a friend or otherwise,” he said adding that the public should always double-check with the respective banks if they encountered any suspicious transactions.

The CCID is also working closely with the respective banks to identify mule accounts, he added.

“If mule accounts are detected, the banks will notify us and the accounts will be terminated,” DCP Saiful Azly said.