KUALA LUMPUR: Seventy-one people, believed to be members of scam syndicates, were arrested following 59 raids in several states.
The locations of the three-day raids were identified based on cash withdrawals by the syndicates using ATM cards belonging to mule account holders.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the ATM withdrawals were connected to scam cases reported to the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC).
“The most number of raids were conducted in Kuala Lumpur (24), followed by Penang (11), Sabah (8), Perak (5), Pahang (4), Selangor (3) and two raids each in Negri Sembilan and Sarawak.
“We detained 55 local men, eight local women, and eight foreign men, aged between 19 and 50,” he told reporters yesterday.
Various items were seized, including 925 ATM cards, almost RM400,000 in cash, 100 mobile phones, 32 SIM cards, 16 bags and 55 documents, he said.
“The suspects detained were from various syndicates involved in scams and ah long activities.
“They have been operating for quite a while.
“We opened 42 investigation papers for various offences, including cheating, using other people’s ATM cards and operating a loan business without a valid licence,” he added.
The operation was a success due to collaboration with Bank Negara, he added.
Separately, Comm Rusdi said police are looking for a 38-year-old man in connection with an investment scam syndicate.
He said the investment scheme called “Preferences Shares” was handled by a company from 2023.
“A total of 279 reports have been lodged involving losses amounting to RM2.3mil.
“Investigations showed that the victims joined the scheme after taking part in a webinar, which promised them returns of up to 18% a year,” he said.
Comm Rusdi said police are looking for Mohd Ezman Zamani, 38, to assist with the investigation.
“We urge those with information to contact investigating officer Asst Supt Mohd Fikri Najib Ismail at 013-983 9854 or Insp Noor Azamin Noor Azahari at 011-655 80848,” he said.
In another case, Comm Rusdi said a company allegedly claiming to have access to billions of ringgit in overseas gold and cash reserves is not registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia.
“We have received 43 reports since 2023 and opened 15 investigation papers under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
“So far, we have recorded 40 statements from 37 victims and three witnesses to assist in the probe,” he said.
Comm Rusdi said investors were promised high returns once the alleged funds could be liquidated, provided enough capital was raised to cover “management and activation costs”.
“They were persuaded by the mastermind – an individual posing as a ‘Datuk Seri’ – who spun a story about inheriting assets belonging to an Indonesian national overseas.
“Further checks showed that the ‘Datuk Seri’ title used by the individual was fake,” Comm Rusdi said.
He said the victims were also deceived through forged documents purportedly issued by Bank Negara, complete with fake logos, stamps and signatures.
“We continue to verify the documents with Bank Negara.”
It was reported that 57 individuals suffered losses amounting to nearly RM8.4mil after falling victim to what has been described as a “superstitious” investment scam involving alleged overseas gold and cash reserves worth tens of billions of US dollars.
