Immigration Dept raids luxury condo, cripples scam syndicate

KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department has crippled an online scam syndicate with the arrest of six foreigners at a luxury condominium here.

Kuala Lumpur Immigration Department director Wan Mohammed Saupee Wan Yusoff said they raided the luxury condominium at Jalan U-Thant at around 4.30pm on Monday (April 25).

"We received a complaint that foreigners had set up a call centre there. The raid saw 36 personnel members from our department with the help of the Immigration Department Putrajaya Special Tactical Force," he said in a statement on Wednesday (March 27).

He said they raided several condominium units there and inspected the documentation of 28 individuals.

"We arrested six foreigners aged between 35 and 57 from China and Myanmar for various offences. We have also issued a summons to the owner of the condominium to come forward and assist with investigations," he said.

He said they believe several units were used as scam call centres for online investment schemes.

"We found laptops, computer screens, tablets, mobile phones and routers as well as 11 passports in some of the units. Those involved managed to escape through a window when they realised that our personnel were at the scene," he said.

He said those detained have been brought to the Bukit Jalil Immigration Depot.

"We wish to remind premises owners and employers that stern action will be taken against those who protect illegal immigrants and allow them to use their premises," he said.