IPOH: The police have arrested 12 Chinese nationals, including two women, who are believed to be involved in a call centre job scam.
Perak police chief Comm Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said the arrests were made during a raid of a bungalow in Pasir Putih here on Friday (May 2) at 2pm.
"They are syndicate members consisting of the operation's supervisor and those who look for victims.
"All 12 people, aged between 25 and 44, will be remanded for four days until May 6 to facilitate investigations," he said in a statement on Sunday.
He said the raid also yielded 10 laptops, four routers and 20 mobile phones worth RM36,000.
Comm Noor Hisam said the syndicate targets Chinese nationals by offering them jobs via online means.
"Those offered jobs would have to complete a task of buying items online to get cash rebates in yuan.
"The victims will not get the promised rebates, even after making payment for the items," he said, adding that the syndicate is believed to have operated at the bungalow since early April.
Comm Noor Hisam said the matter is being investigated under Section 420 and Section 120(B) of the Penal Code.
"Those convicted can be jailed up to 10 years.
"We will also check with the Immigration Department on the status of all those arrested, and action will be taken on any wrongdoing under the Immigration Act," he said.
"The police would like to advise the people not to believe in job offers offered online that require them to complete tasks by making purchases,' he said, urging people to contact the nearest police station or the police commercial crime unit's WhatsApp Infoline at 013-211 1222 for inquiries.
