SELANGOR police have arrested 24 foreign nationals allegedly involved in online fraud schemes operating from call centres in Sunsuria City, Sepang, while separately dismantling a syndicate trafficking drug-laced vape products worth over RM3 million, authorities confirmed this week.
Datuk Shazeli Kahar, Selangor Police Chief, said all 24 online fraud suspects, aged between 21 and 37, are Chinese nationals linked to two distinct syndicates targeting victims in China.
The syndicates are believed to have been active since October.
“The first operation, conducted around 1pm, led to the arrest of 14 individuals including four women. We seized 11 mobile phones, three computer sets and one router, with an estimated value of RM20,000,” Shazeli said, detailing that the syndicate ran online lottery scams using the QQ (Jin Chan) application to persuade victims to buy fake ‘lucky numbers’ promising cash prizes that did not exist.
He added that the second syndicate, apprehended later the same day at 5pm, involved seven men and three women, with police confiscating 16 mobile phones, seven laptops, three desktop computers, and two routers valued at RM40,000.
This group allegedly conducted online foreign exchange (forex) investment scams, using the Tonghuasun application to lure victims and Telegram to execute fraudulent transactions.
“Victims were tricked into providing capital for forex investments with promises of high returns, but the investments were entirely fictitious,” Shazeli said.
All suspects had entered Malaysia between July and October via Kuala Lumpur International Airport using social visit or work passes.
“We are verifying the authenticity of their permits with the Immigration Department. Criminal record checks and urine tests confirmed no prior offences or drug use,” he said. The suspects are remanded for seven days under Sections 420 and 120B of the Penal Code.
In a separate operation on 27 November, Selangor police also targeted a syndicate storing and distributing vape products mixed with drugs in Klang.
Three men aged between 33 and 49 were arrested, and authorities seized 2,068 cartridges, 550 pods, and 240 bottles of vape liquid laced with ketamine, weighing an estimated 61 litres, with a total value of RM3.04 million.
Three vehicles and jewellery worth RM134,800 were also confiscated.
“These suspects worked as sellers, warehouse custodians, and packagers. They reportedly earned RM1,500 to RM2,000 plus commissions from sales,” Shazeli said, noting that the syndicate sold the illicit vape products openly and coordinated deliveries through courier services.
Urine tests returned negative for drugs, though one individual had a prior criminal record. All three are remanded for seven days under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
These coordinated operations underscore the growing complexity of cyber-enabled crime and drug distribution in Malaysia, prompting intensified enforcement and monitoring efforts. - December 2, 2025
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