KOTA KINABALU: A large group of foreigners pretending to be tourists at a resort were arrested for involvement in an online scam syndicate.
The 80 suspects, aged between 17 and 46, were nabbed during a crackdown at a Tawau resort at 9.20pm on Tuesday (April 7).
The group comprised 78 Chinese nationals, one Myanmar citizen, and one Laotian.
The raid was conducted by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department from Kepayan, Tawau, Sandakan, and Keningau.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun confirmed the arrests.
He said police are still investigating the specific roles of every suspect in the case.
Sources believe the syndicate entered Sabah three months ago.
They allegedly used the resort as an operation centre, training ground, and accommodation.
"They pretend to be police officials from China," the source said.
The source added that the targets were believed to be Chinese Americans residing in China.
Police seized mobile phones, computer sets, scripts, passports, and banners during the raid.
They also recovered Chinese government police uniforms used in the scam operations.
Following the arrests, 77 suspects were brought to the Tawau Magistrate's Court on Wednesday to be remanded.
Three others receiving hospital treatment were also granted a three-day remand order.
Six suspects, including the Laotian, were released on police bail but may be recalled to assist probes.
