Cops raid online scam call centre in Kajang, 16 nabbed

SHAH ALAM: Sixteen suspects have been arrested after police raided an online scam call centre in Kajang.

Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said police from Bukit Aman’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) conducted the raid at a premises at Taman Semanija, Kajang on Tuesday.

"A total of 10 men and six women, all Malaysians, aged between 15 and 37 were arrested during the raid.

"Police also seized six laptops, 43 mobile phones, two internet routers and one notebook from the scene," he said in a statement on Wednesday (June 7).

He said investigations revealed the syndicate was operating from the premises for at least two months.

"The number of victims and losses caused by the syndicate has yet to be determined and is still under investigation.

"Based on checks on the items seized, the syndicate members caught were working in a call centre and used social media and the internet to search for victims," he said, adding that the syndicate’s modus operandi was to offer bogus washing machine, air conditioning and car seat maintenance as well as house cleaning services.

Comm Hussein said the victims were asked to download an Android Package Kit (APK) link for scheduling maintenance services by paying a deposit.

"The victims would key in their personal and banking details through the application without realising that the syndicate was extracting their information through phishing methods.

"Once the syndicate gets the victim’s personal and banking details, the syndicate would transfer money from the victim’s bank accounts without their knowledge," he said, adding that the victims only realised that their money was taken when they checked their bank accounts.

Comm Hussein advised the public to always be cautious when accessing links from social media advertisements offering services or sale of items.

"Do not download anything from these links which are offered by unknown people.

"We also wish to advise the public to not be easily duped by such syndicates who use social media to dupe victims," he said.

He said working with such syndicates was a crime and those involved will be prosecuted.

"Let this be a warning to all the syndicates that try to use Selangor as a hub to set up their activities. We will not tolerate such activities and will take stern action without compromise.