IPOH: A police raid on an online impersonation scam call centre in Taman Merdeka here has led to the arrest of six Japanese men and one local.
Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the suspects, aged between 22 and 58, were arrested during an operation conducted by the Perak Criminal Investigation Department’s D7 (Secret Societies, Gambling and Vice) division and the Ipoh Commercial Crime Investigation Division at about 3.30pm on Wednesday (Sept 16).
He said preliminary investigations found that the syndicate was operating a call centre for online impersonation scams, targeting victims in Japan.
“The syndicate is believed to have started operating at the premises in mid-August 2026,” he said in a statement on Friday (Sept 18)
Police also seized 16 mobile phones, a laptop, a WiFi router and a set of house keys, with the total value estimated at RM20,000.
Comm Mohd Alwi said the six Japanese suspects had been remanded for four days from Sept 17 to 20, while the local suspect was remanded for one day from Sept 17.
The case is being investigated under Sections 420 and 120B of the Penal Code, which carry a maximum 10-year jail term, whipping and a fine upon conviction.
Meanwhile, Comm Mohd Alwi urged owners of residential premises to conduct thorough background checks on tenants to prevent their properties from being used as bases for illegal activities.
“Anyone with information or who suspects that premises in their neighbourhood are being used as call centres is urged to provide information at the nearest police station,” he added.
