POLICE in Kelantan have dismantled a sophisticated online “love scam” syndicate believed to be targeting elderly male pensioners in Singapore, following a raid on a resort premises that had been converted into an illegal call centre.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the operation, carried out at about 4.30pm on Wednesday, led to the arrest of 58 individuals comprising 53 men and five women of various nationalities.
He said those detained were aged between their 20s and 30s, and included 49 Chinese nationals, alongside Malaysians and individuals from Myanmar, India and Pakistan.
“Also detained were a local woman, a woman from Myanmar and three women from China.” he said during a press conference at the Tanah Merah District Police Headquarters today.
Mohd Yusoff said the raid was conducted by officers from the Commercial Crime Investigation Department of the Kelantan police contingent, following intelligence on online fraud activities targeting Singaporean victims.
Preliminary investigations found that the premises had been operating as a syndicate hub, using online platforms to manipulate victims emotionally and financially for profit.
He said the syndicate is believed to have been active for about a month and was run by three supervisors overseeing 55 operators working daily from 12 noon to midnight.
The group also allegedly used at least six internet routers to ensure high-speed connectivity and to evade detection by authorities.
“We also seized 46 computers, five laptops, 118 mobile phones of various types and eight routers to assist investigations,” he said.
In total, police confiscated communication equipment and computers valued at RM179,000 during the raid.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 and Section 120B of the Penal Code for cheating and criminal conspiracy.
“All suspected individuals have been brought before the Tanah Merah Magistrate’s Court for remand applications,” he added. - April 23, 2026
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