SEREMBAN: Police have detained six Chinese nationals believed to be members of the "Ah Chen" syndicate involved in scamming their own countrymen by getting them to invest in non-existent online schemes.
State police chief Dep Comm Datuk Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yusoff said the six, aged between 27 and 36, were detained in an operation here on Wednesday (March 20).
"They were detained in an operation around Seremban 2.
"Their hostel was located in a guarded area to hoodwink the authorities," he said in a statement.
Police, he said, had among others seized 14 mobile phones and as many pre-paid cards from the suspects.
DCP Ahmad Dzaffir said the syndicate was believed to have been operating here since early March.
"They would try to lure victims to invest in gold and Chinese medicines by offering them unusually high returns.
"But when the investors asked for the promised profits, the suspects would give excuses and eventually become uncontactable," he said.
Police, he said had obtained an order to remand the suspects till March 24.
The suspects were being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, Section 120(b) of the same legislation for criminal conspiracy and Section 6(1) of the Immigration Act for violating immigration laws.
DCP Ahmad Dzaffir said although no locals were scammed by the syndicate, the public should always check with the National Scam Response Centre by calling 997 or authorities such as Bank Negara, the Securities Commission or the semak mule portal before investing in online schemes offering unusually high returns.
