IPOH: The police have busted a job scam syndicate offering fake employment opportunities through social media, leading to the arrest of 11 locals.
Perak police chief Comm Datuk Azizi Mat Aris said the syndicate was uncovered following a raid at two residential premises in Taiping on Aug 14 at 1.30pm.
"The police have detained seven men and four women, aged between 21 and 26, believed to be operating a fake job offer scam through social media by setting up a call centre.
The group is suspected of targeting local and Singaporean victims," he said at a press conference on Friday (Aug 16).
"A link to click on will be provided on social media platforms such as WhatsApp to scam the victims.
"The syndicate has been operating for the last two weeks, and the operators (suspects) were recruited from Taiping, Kerian, Selama, Johor, and Singapore," he said.
Comm Azizi said that following the raid, approximately 130 similar cases were settled following reports by victims throughout the country.
During the raid, the police seized various items used for operating the call centre worth approximately RM500,000, including 35 mobile phones, 98 ATM cards belonging to other individuals, and four gold bars.
He said the case will be investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.
The offence carries a jail term of between one and 10 years, whipping, and a fine upon conviction.
"Ten suspects were remanded for four days up to Aug 18, and one suspect has been remanded for just one day as she is pregnant," he said.
