Penang police urge bungalow owners to thoroughly screen tenants to prevent premises from being used as operational centres for online scam syndicates.
GEORGE TOWN: Penang police have urged homeowners, particularly those renting out bungalows, to thoroughly screen prospective tenants to prevent their premises from being used as operational centres for online scam syndicates.
Penang Police Chief Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng said owners should also obtain complete information on prospective tenants, including conducting background checks through property agents if the rental is handled by a third party.
“Do not accept tenants without carrying out proper checks first, as this can help prevent premises from being misused for criminal activities,” he told a press conference at the North East District Police Headquarters (IPD) here today.
He was commenting on several recent police raids on online scam syndicates found operating from rented bungalows in the state.
On July 16 and 17, police crippled five online scam syndicates after raiding several bungalows in Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi, Pulau Tikus, Gelugor and Bukit Mertajam that had been used as call centres for non-existent investment scams and phone scam operations.
Lim said the operations, carried out by the Penang Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), led to the arrest of 108 individuals, comprising one Malaysian and 107 foreign nationals from China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Pakistan and South Africa.
He said preliminary investigations found that most of the premises had been operating for more than a month and were used as both accommodation and operational centres for syndicate members believed to have been recruited through online platforms or agents before being brought to Malaysia.
“They were offered jobs as customer service officers with monthly salaries ranging from RM3,200 to RM5,000 to contact and persuade victims to join non-existent investment schemes targeting victims in China.
“As for the syndicates involved in phone scams, the suspects are believed to have impersonated enforcement officers, including Canadian police officers, to deceive victims in Canada and the United States,” he said.
He said police are working closely with the relevant foreign law enforcement agencies to assist in the investigation, including checking whether those arrested are wanted by authorities in their respective countries.
“We have informed all the countries involved of the arrests for further verification. Should any evidence or information be required, we will use international law enforcement cooperation channels in accordance with the relevant legal provisions,” he said.
He said the case is being investigated under Sections 420 and 120B of the Penal Code, while all foreign nationals arrested are also being investigated under Sections 6(3) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
