JOHOR BARU – Johor police have crippled a ring targeting telecommunications companies following the arrest of mule account holders and other syndicate members in Iskandar Puteri last Wednesday.
State police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the telcos have suffered over RM8.6 million in losses.
The raids started at 12.30pm and ended at 11.30pm, with 14 syndicate members – 10 men and four women, aged between 19 and 38 – detained.
Police seized 24 mobile phones, 24 ATM cards, a laptop and a tablet.
“The syndicate, which had been active since early last year, bought mule accounts for the purpose of registering online package purchases and mobile phones,” Ayob Khan told the press here today.
“They also used false documents, like payslips and employers’ letters, to deceive the telcos.
“Once the registration and identity of the mule account owner are confirmed by the telco, the syndicate would make payments using the credit cards of other individuals before the registered phone and package are handed to a syndicate member.”
With each successful transaction, he said, the mule account owner would get RM350, while the “recruiting agent” would be given RM150.
He said it is Johor police’s first success in dismantling a mobile phone package scam.
All the suspects have been remanded, with the investigation conducted under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years and liable to whipping and a fine upon conviction.
Ayob Khan said the force is hunting 38-year-old syndicate leader Tan Boon Han, whose last address was in Kampar, Perak, as well as Wong King An, 27, and The Chin How, 38, identified as Tan’s right-hand men. – Bernama, September 9, 2021
