155 people nabbed in raids on scam call centres

Seized: Comm Allaudeen speaking during the press conference at the KL police headquarters. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 155 individuals, including 43 foreigners, were detained following raids on eight call centres used by scam syndicates here.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid said the raids were conducted from Sept 4 until Sept 21.

He said in the first raid on Sept 4, police busted call centres at two premises in Bandar Seri Petaling.

“We detained 59 people, consisting of 29 local men and 24 local women, as well as two foreign men and four foreign women.

“They were detained for running a forex scam targeting victims in the country and India.

“We seized 37 laptops, 15 computers, 52 mobile phones, and a modem,” he told a press conference at the KL police headquarters yesterday.

In the second raid, Comm Allaudeen said police raided a premises at Jalan Kepong on Sept 5 and arrested two local men and two foreign men.

“We believe they were using the call centre to facilitate the transfer of funds derived from loan scams, which targeted locals.

“We seized various items, including seven mobile phones, 20 debit cards and a laptop,” he said.

In the next raid, which was also carried out on Sept 5, Comm Allaudeen said police raided a premises at Jalan Duta Hartamas and detained five individuals, including three foreigners aged between 27 and 42.

“They were running a stock scam. We also seized various items,” he added.

Police information led them to a house in Taman Gembira on Sept 6, where 14 locals, including five women, were detained.

“We believe the syndicate was running a job scam targeting Turkyish nationals.

“Several items were seized, including 13 computers, four mobile phones, and a book,” Comm Allaudeen said.

Police raided two other premises in Taman Gembira and Jalan Senang Ria on Sept 8.

“We detained six local men and six foreign men aged between 19 and 27. They were running illegal online gambling sites that targeted Bangladeshi nationals,” he said.

He said the police also raided a premises in Bukit Bintang on Sept 8 where 29 individuals, including 23 locals, were arrested.

“They were running an investment scam targeting victims in Asia. We also seized 56 mobile phones, 27 laptops, and 32 computer monitors, along with seven CPUs,” he said.

He said police raided a premises at Jalan P. Ramlee where eight foreign men and a foreign woman were detained.

“The suspects, aged between 21 and 33, were running a love scam that targeted victims in Asia and Europe. Various items were seized, including 24 mobile phones, seven laptops, and a piece of script the scammers used to dupe victims,” he added.

The last raid was conducted near KLCC on Sept 21.

“We detained 12 locals and 11 foreigners. They were running job scams that targeted victims from Australia and Canada,” Comm Allaudeen said.

He said the syndicates had been operating for about three months.

“We believe they were using high-end condominiums and apartments as their call centres.

“We urge the Joint Management Body of the high rises to be more responsible in vetting their tenants properly and ensuring no crime occurs at the premises,” he said.

Comm Allaudeen urged those with information on such call centres to contact the KL operations room at 03-2146 0584/0585 or the nearest police station.