Kuala Lumpur police arrested over 1,000 people and seized RM5 million in a major crackdown on online scam syndicates last year.
KUALA LUMPUR: Police busted 97 online scam cases and seized over RM5 million in a series of integrated operations in the capital last year.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said 1,070 individuals were arrested, comprising 600 locals and 470 foreigners.
Police also seized 2,845 units of telecommunications equipment used to contact victims.
The operations were carried out by the Kuala Lumpur Commercial Crime Investigation Department together with Bukit Aman’s CCID.
They aimed to curb online call centre scam syndicates targeting victims both locally and abroad.
“All arrests were made at various locations around Kuala Lumpur, involving residential premises illegally used as syndicate operation centres,” Fadil said.
He confirmed police seized cash amounting to RM5,067,818.
Initial investigations found all those arrested were syndicate workers involved in various scam methods.
These included fake job offers and fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes.
All suspects have been charged in court under Section 120B (2) of the Penal Code for criminal conspiracy to commit online fraud.
They were also charged under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for offences related to travel document violations involving foreign nationals.
Fadil added that police will continue to intensify efforts to eradicate online scam syndicates.
The public can channel information to the Kuala Lumpur Police Hotline at 03-2115 9999 or any nearby police station.
