Melaka police raid uncovers job scam syndicate targeting Ecuadorians, arresting 16 suspects and seizing RM20,000 worth of equipment.
MELAKA: Police have dismantled an online job scam syndicate targeting Ecuadorian victims following a raid at Taman Paya Rumput Perdana in Tanjung Minyak on Wednesday (November 5).
Melaka Police Chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar confirmed 16 arrests comprising six local men and 10 foreign nationals aged 16 to 38.
“Investigations revealed that all the suspects were believed to be workers paid RM4,000 per month by the syndicate leader,” he said in a statement.
The premises functioned as a call centre for the online job scam operation targeting Ecuador.
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The syndicate contacted victims through WhatsApp and Telegram before promoting products like clothing and watches via fake websites.
Deceived victims would make purchases through these websites before being instructed to make additional purchases.
“They also offered victims the opportunity to find other buyers willing to purchase the items at higher prices,” Dzulkhairi explained.
The syndicate pressured victims into multiple purchases until they could no longer afford them before cutting communication.
All transactions were conducted online using US dollars through specifically created fraudulent websites.
Police seized equipment worth RM20,000 including 16 CPUs, 32 monitors, 16 keyboards, and networking devices.
All suspects have been remanded for four days until November 8 to assist investigations.
They are being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and Section 120B for criminal conspiracy.
Additional charges include immigration violations under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act and Regulation 39(b).
Dzulkhairi advised the public to remain cautious of suspicious job offers and verify with authorities beforehand. – Bernama
