KUALA LUMPUR: Police have busted three scam syndicates with the arrest of 61 suspects involved in offering fake part-time jobs and impersonating Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) officers in phone scams.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the suspects, comprising 15 Malaysians, 45 Indonesians and a Chinese national, were arrested in three separate raids on residential premises in Seri Kembangan, Selangor last Tuesday (Nov 3).
He said two of the syndicates were believed to have targeted victims in Indonesia through fake part-time job offers advertised via the website gcindo.co.
"The victims were contacted via WhatsApp and offered part-time jobs involving 'like and share' tasks.
"They were then instructed to transfer money into mule accounts before they could receive their promised commissions," he told a press conference here on Thursday.
The third syndicate was suspected of targeting Malaysians through phone scams in which its members impersonated MCMC officers.
Comm Rusdi said police seized 144 items worth an estimated RM80,000 during the raids.
These included all-in-one computers, laptops, central processing units (CPUs), monitors, mobile phones, routers, modems and scripts used by the syndicates.
He said further action against the 61 suspects was ongoing, including possible action under immigration laws following the expiry of their remand orders on Nov 10.
All three cases are being investigated under Sections 420 and 120B of the Penal Code for cheating and criminal conspiracy, respectively.
Police advised the public to be wary of unsolicited calls, messages and job offers, particularly those requiring upfront payments.
Those who believe they have fallen victim to scams should immediately contact the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997 and lodge a police report.
