IPOH: Twelve Chinese nationals have been arrested after police busted an online love scam call centre syndicate operating from two houses here that allegedly targeted victims in China.
Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the suspects, all men, aged between 25 and 40, were arrested during simultaneous raids carried out by the Ipoh district commercial crime investigation division at about 4.15pm on July 16.
He said the raids were conducted at houses in Taman Ipoh Selatan and Medan Pengkalan Setia following intelligence on online fraud activities.
“Preliminary investigations and conversation scripts recovered from seized laptops indicate that the syndicate was operating an online love scam call centre.
“The syndicate is believed to have been operating from both premises since June this year and targeted victims in China,” he said in a statement on Saturday (July 18).
Comm Mohd Alwi said the syndicate used Telegram and WeChat, together with local Internet services, to carry out the scams.
He said they posed as attractive individuals using fake profile photographs before randomly contacting victims online.
“The victims were then lured into purported trading transactions with promises of high returns before being instructed to make repeated payments,” he said.
He said among the items seized were 158 mobile phones, six laptops, five wifi routers, five conversation scripts, 15 SIM cards, three USB charging stations and three wire connectors, with the total value of the items estimated at RM34,500.
“All 12 suspects have been remanded for three days until July 19.
“The case is being investigated under Sections 420/120B of the Penal Code, as well as Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act,” he added.
Comm Mohd Alwi said Perak police would continue taking proactive action against online scam call centre syndicates and advised the public to be cautious and not easily trust individuals known only through online conversations.
He also urged those with information on similar scam activities to report the matter to the nearest police station.
