ISKANDAR PUTERI: A scam syndicate operating from a luxury bungalow in an upscale neighbourhood here allegedly used artificial intelligence (AI) technology to target victims in Spain with fake job offers.
The operation came to light after police raided the bungalow in Gelang Patah at 11.50pm on May 14 and arrested 35 Chinese nationals.
Iskandar Puteri OCPD Asst Comm M. Kumarasan said the suspects, aged between 21 and 39, used AI technology and pre-made language templates to communicate with victims overseas.
“The suspects allegedly used AI to translate their speech from Mandarin into English, while Spanish conversations were also translated into English to facilitate communication with victims.”
Initial investigations revealed the suspects acted as agents tasked with searching for potential victims online before offering them non-existent jobs.
Victims were allegedly lured with promises of lucrative salaries through several package options.
ACP Kumarasan said those seeking higher-paying jobs were instructed to purchase more expensive packages before eventually being cheated.
He said the raid was conducted by the district Commercial Crimes Investigation Department with assistance from the Tanjung Kupang police station.
Investigations found the syndicate had been operating since February this year from the six-room bungalow, which was rented for RM18,000 a month.
ACP Kumarasan said the suspects were believed to have received salaries of about RM4,000 a month, while two others claimed to be cooks and were paid RM3,500 monthly.
The suspects have been remanded until May 28 to assist investigations under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Those with information can contact the Johor police hotline at 019-279 2095 or the operations room at 07-221 2999.
