GEORGE TOWN: Police arrested 141 people, including 132 foreigners, in a series of 14 raids on suspected scam call centres across Penang over a 21-day period.
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng said those arrested comprised nine Malaysians and 132 foreigners, including 93 Chinese, 29 Vietnamese, four Japanese, three Taiwanese, one Myanmar national and two Cambodians.
"The raids were conducted by the state Commercial Crime Investigation Department between Oct 9 and 29 as part of an ongoing crackdown on online fraud syndicates.
"The operations covered three districts, with six raids in Southwest district, five in Northeast district and three in Central Seberang Perai district.
"The suspects were aged between 18 and 48 years old," he said during a press conference at the police contingent headquarters (IPK) in Penang Road on Monday (Nov 2).
Police also seized various equipment believed to have been used in the operations, including mobile phones, computers, laptops, tablets, Internet routers and other electronic devices, with the total value estimated at RM1.4mil.
Lim said the crackdown was part of the police's continuous efforts to combat online fraud and protect the public from falling victim to commercial crimes.
He said all 14 cases were being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, as well as Sections 6(3) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
"Of the 14 cases recorded, three have been charged in court, while the remaining 11 are still under investigation," he said.
Lim said the suspects had entered Malaysia legally but police were also investigating possible immigration offences involving the alleged misuse of their permitted activities.
"Although they entered the country legally using their passports, we are still investigating them under the Immigration Act.
"Besides offences under the Penal Code, we are also looking at the Immigration Act so that further action can be taken against them," he said.
Police reminded the public to remain vigilant and not be easily enticed by offers promising unusually high returns, suspicious telephone calls or attempts by unknown parties to recover money lost to scams.
Members of the public with information on commercial crime activities can channel it to the police for further action.
