KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Chinese authorities have jointly crippled an international scam syndicate believed to be run by Chinese nationals.
The integrated operation, dubbed Ops Dragon, targeted a criminal network believed to be operating across several countries, including Malaysia.
The syndicate was identified as conducting cross-border scam activities using various communications platforms and technology to deceive victims.
MACC Special Operations Division senior director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin said that through a series of coordinated operations, the graft buster managed to detain 16 key suspects believed to be the syndicate’s ringleaders who had been hiding in the country.
"All the suspects are Chinese nationals and have been repatriated to China to face trial.
"The repatriation process was carried out in cooperation with the Chinese Embassy and the Immigration Department, with all legal and diplomatic procedures fully complied with," he said on Tuesday (March 10).
During the operation, the MACC also seized various assets worth about RM3.5mil believed to have been obtained through illegal activities.
Among the items seized were two luxury vehicles, jewellery, gold bars, personal computers, laptops, cash in various foreign currencies and hundreds of mobile phones of different brands believed to have been used as key tools in the syndicate’s operations.
The MACC is currently conducting civil forfeiture on the assets before they are returned to the Malaysian government.
It said the success of the operation reflects its continued commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation with international enforcement agencies in combating financial crimes and cross-border fraud that could affect the country’s economic security and national interests.
The commission stressed that any form of financial system abuse, corruption and fraudulent activities will continue to be tackled through strict enforcement and close cooperation with international enforcement partners.
