IPOH: Perak police have arrested six men suspected of operating an online gambling scam syndicate targeting Australians from a three-storey terrace house in Kamunting.
State police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the suspects, aged between 22 and 31, were arrested in a raid at 8.05pm on Tuesday (Oct 20).
He said preliminary investigations found that the syndicate had been operating since July, using online platforms to promote gambling services to Australian customers.
"The syndicate used Telegram and WeChat to communicate with customers, while Australian bank accounts were used to receive payments," he told a press conference at the state police contingent headquarters here on Friday (Oct 23).
"The gambling packages offered ranged from A$30 to A$200 (RM85 to RM573) and Australian telecommunications lines were used through SIM cards found in the mobile phones seized during the raid.
"The syndicate is believed to have used profile pictures of European women to attract customers to its gambling platforms."
Comm Alwi said police also seized 18 mobile phones, 10 computer monitors and six CPUs, with the total value of the seizures estimated at RM35,000.
He said police believe the six suspects acted as agents sourcing customers and promoting online gambling, and earned between RM6,000 and RM10,000 a month.
"They are also believed to have used the back entrance of the rented house to enter and exit, to avoid detection.
"All six suspects have been remanded for four days to facilitate further investigations," he said.
He added that investigations were ongoing to determine the number of victims involved and case is being investigated under Sections 420 and 120 (b) of the Penal Code.
He added such syndicates used advances in communications technology to operate across borders and changed locations frequently to evade detection.
"I urge the public not to assist such syndicates by renting out residential premises or supplying communications equipment.
"Those with information on online scam activities can contact the nearest police station," he said.
