ALOR SETAR: Kedah police successfully crippled an online scam syndicate involving suspects posing as Indian police officers during a raid on a business premises in Bandar Putra, Kulim, last Friday (Oct 9).
Kedah Police Chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said that during the joint operation at 8pm, police arrested 48 individuals suspected of acting as syndicate members, comprising seven locals, eight Indian nationals, and 33 Pakistani nationals.
"This syndicate began operating late last August at a three-story shoplot, running online scam activities by impersonating police officers from India, targeting victims from that country.
"They used the Telegram app to communicate and deceive victims by claiming the victims' phone numbers were involved in illegal activities.
Victims were asked to transfer money into provided bank accounts for police investigation purposes," he told reporters at the Kedah Contingent Police headquarters here on Monday (Oct 12).
He added that investigations into the syndicate members, aged 20 to 43, revealed that they claimed they were duped after applying for jobs offered on social media before being added to a Telegram group and promised salaries of around RM2,500 to RM3,500 a month.
"Investigations also found that the syndicate members failed to present valid travel documents for entry into Malaysia. So far, a total of 73 individuals have fallen victim to this syndicate's scams, involving losses of nearly RM1.4mil.
"Additionally, police seized various items including 89 mobile phones, seven laptops, modems, monitors, Indian police uniforms, Indian flags, Indian Central Bureau of Investigation flags, and several other items. The total value of the seizures is estimated at RM70,000," he said.
Adzli further added that the case is being investigated under Section 420, Section 120B of the Penal Code and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
Meanwhile, he noted that follow-up arrests were made at 6pm on Sunday (Oct 11) involving two local men and three local women aged 44 to 51, who acted as the premises owners, real estate agents, and renters of the involved premises.
"All these arrests were made around Kulim and Tanjung Piandang, Perak, and checks revealed that the five new suspects arrested have no prior criminal records.
"The success of this operation is the result of public information, so the police would like to thank the public for staying alert to their surroundings. If there is any information regarding scam activities, please channel the information to enable prompt action to be taken," he said. — Bernama
