TWO online scam syndicates offering fraudulent vehicle sales and non-existent sexual services were dismantled by police following raids on three residential properties in the state earlier this month.
Melaka Police Chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said a total of 19 individuals, including one Malaysian and 18 foreign nationals aged between 21 and 60, were arrested during "Op Merpati" conducted on 2 and 3 September by the state Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK), based on public tip-offs and intelligence gathering.
“These individuals had entered Malaysia legally as tourists but became involved in online scams shortly after, with some operating for the past three months,” Dzulkhairi said during a press conference at the Melaka police headquarters.
In the first raid, seven Indonesian men aged 21 to 41 were detained at a condominium on Jalan Tun Perak. They were allegedly employed by a syndicate for RM1,000 to RM2,000 monthly to advertise mobile phones, motorcycles, and cars on Facebook, specifically targeting fellow Indonesians.
“Once contact was made, the victims were directed to Telegram, where the suspects posed as customer service representatives. Victims were asked to make advance payments into Indonesian bank accounts or ShopeePay, believed to be linked to the syndicate's ringleader,” he said. “However, once payments were made, goods were never delivered and all contact was cut off.”
Police seized seven laptops, adapters, computer mice, and eight mobile phones worth approximately RM25,000.
In a second operation the following day, police raided a bungalow in Ayer Keroh and detained eight individuals — one Malaysian man, two Filipino women and five Chinese men aged between 30 and 60.
Further interrogation led to a third raid at a house in Banda Hilir, where four more Chinese men aged 24 to 32 were arrested.
“Preliminary investigations revealed the group was offering fake sexual services to Chinese nationals via the Telegram app. Victims were asked to make online payments to bank accounts in Cambodia. Once payment was confirmed, the syndicate blocked further communication,” Dzulkhairi explained.
Police seized various currencies in cash, eight computers, 21 mobile phones, and three luxury vehicles, with total estimated value of RM550,000.
He confirmed that all foreign suspects had entered Malaysia legally as tourists before being recruited by the syndicates. All 19 suspects are being held under a 14-day remand and are being investigated under Sections 420 and 120B of the Penal Code for cheating and conspiracy, as well as Sections 15(1)(c) and 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. - Sept 8, 2025
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