POLICE in Penang have crippled three international fraud syndicates operating from covert call centres in Bukit Mertajam following coordinated raids that led to the arrest of 32 suspects, including four Malaysians, and the seizure of communication and computer equipment valued at approximately RM123,000.
The operation, carried out by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department of the Penang Contingent Police Headquarters, uncovered networks allegedly targeting victims across several countries through online romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud and impersonation schemes.
Penang Police Chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said the raids were conducted at three separate premises that had been converted into scam operation centres.
The first raid at Taman Pinggiran Bukit Minyak exposed a cross-border "love scam" syndicate believed to have been active since January and targeting victims in Malaysia, China and Taiwan.
Authorities arrested 10 foreign nationals comprising eight Chinese men, one Chinese woman and one Taiwanese man aged between 24 and 41.
Police also seized 16 computers, 23 mobile phones and four WiFi routers worth approximately RM78,000. Investigators further recovered scripts believed to have been used by syndicate members to manipulate and deceive victims through online relationships.
In a second operation, police uncovered a syndicate allegedly involved in fraudulent USDT cryptocurrency exchange activities targeting victims in Taiwan.
Fifteen suspects were arrested, including six Taiwanese men, one Taiwanese woman, two Vietnamese men, two Vietnamese women and four Malaysian men aged between 20 and 49.
Authorities confiscated 28 computers, 21 mobile phones and a WiFi router with a combined estimated value of RM25,000. Preliminary investigations indicate the group had been operating since April.
The third raid dismantled a sophisticated phone scam operation that allegedly impersonated Japanese police officers to defraud victims in Japan and Taiwan.
Seven foreign nationals were detained, comprising five Japanese men and two Taiwanese men aged between 20 and 47.
Among the items seized were mobile phones, laptop computers, an iPad, Osaka Police uniforms, counterfeit police identification cards and badges, as well as satellite communication equipment. The seized assets were estimated to be worth approximately RM20,000.
The discovery of fake Japanese police paraphernalia suggests the syndicate had developed elaborate methods to lend credibility to its fraudulent operations and gain the trust of targeted victims abroad.
Azizee said investigations are being conducted under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and Section 120B of the Penal Code for criminal conspiracy.
All suspects are expected to be brought before the court tomorrow for remand proceedings as police continue investigations into the full extent of the syndicates' operations and potential international links. - June 3, 2026
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