More arrests over online scam: 65 Chinese nationals nabbed in Ipoh raids

IPOH: More Chinese nationals have been arrested for alleged online scam, with 65 people nabbed at two locations here.

This was following an operation that was held on Monday (Dec 9), where 40 Chinese nationals were arrested.

Immigration Department director-general Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the raids were held at two three-storey semi-detached houses at Gerbang Maju Rapat on Wednesday (Dec 11) between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.

“Of the 65 arrested, four were women.

“They are aged between 17 and 55, ” he told a press conference at its state headquarters in Meru Raya here on Thursday night (Dec 12).

“During the operation at both locations, we also seized 232 mobile phones, 45 laptops, 26 computer monitors, one credit card swipe machine, 24 modems, 193 SIM cards, 140 ATM cards, seven credit cards from China, 47 Chinese identity cards and three passports, ” he added.

During a blitz in Cyberjaya last month, the department arrested 680 Chinese nationals who were operating from a six-storey building.

Some 104 Chinese nationals were also arrested in Kota Kinabalu last month.

Khairul Dzaimee said they also found receipts for kitchen appliances bought from a shop in Taman Maluri, Cheras, dated Oct 11 and from another shop in Subang Jaya on Oct 8.

“Based on this, it is a possibility that some of them were those escaped from the operation in Cyberjaya on Nov 20.

“We also found used and unused condoms, ” he said.

“We believe that one of the houses was their one-stop centre for their activities, ” he added.

Khairul Dzaimee said the Chinese nationals were relaxed and were unaware about the raids.

“Some tried to escape and there was a brief scuffle with our officers.

“We managed to control the situation and surround the premises to prevent further escapes, ” he added.

Khairul Dzaimee said those arrested would be investigated for overstaying and misuse of visitors’ pass.

“We will continue with our operations to uncover more of these activities, ” he said.