Malaysian authorities arrest 16 Chinese nationals in Ops Dragon, seizing luxury cars, gold, and cash linked to a cross-border fraud syndicate.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has dismantled an international fraud syndicate, arresting 16 Chinese nationals and seizing assets worth RM3.5 million.
The suspects, identified as ringleaders, were arrested in a series of operations codenamed Ops Dragon between October and December last year.
MACC Special Operations Division senior director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin said all individuals had been hiding in Malaysia and were wanted by Chinese authorities.
“All the suspects have been sent back for trial, and the repatriation was carried out in cooperation with the Chinese Embassy and the Malaysian Immigration Department,” he said.
He stated the arrests resulted from an integrated operation with Chinese authorities targeting a cross-border network operating in several countries.
The syndicate allegedly used various communication platforms and technologies to deceive victims.
Following the arrests, the MACC seized assets linked to the syndicate’s crimes and believed obtained through illegal activities.
“Among the items seized were two luxury cars, jewellery, gold bars, personal computers, laptops, cash in various foreign currencies, as well as hundreds of mobile phones,” Mohamad Zamri said.
He added that the forfeiture process for the assets is being actively carried out before they are returned to the Malaysian government.
“The success of this operation proves MACC’s continued commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation with international enforcement agencies,” he stated.
Mohamad Zamri emphasised that any abuse of the financial system or fraudulent activities will be tackled through enforcement and international cooperation.
