130 Malaysians Held in Pakistan Scam Raid, IGP Confirms

A total of 130 Malaysians detained in Pakistan over their alleged involvement in a cybercrime syndicate are now the subject of a police follow-up, with Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail confirming the detentions in Rawalpindi, Bernama reported on Saturday (Oct 31).

Khalid spoke to reporters on Friday night (Oct 30) at the 2026 Malaysian Ex-Police Association (PBPM) “Jasamu Dikenang” dinner. He said the Royal Malaysia Police were working with the Pakistani authorities through the Foreign Ministry to obtain full details of all those held.

“So far, we have been informed that 130 Malaysians have been detained there,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Malaysians detained in Pakistan scam

According to Bernama, Khalid said police had yet to obtain the full profiles of those detained. He confirmed, however, that they are Malaysian passport holders from various ethnic backgrounds.

He added that some of the detainees held valid visas, while others had overstayed. The matter has been referred to the director of the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) for further action.

Bernama said the suspects are being investigated under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 as well as Penal Code provisions covering extortion, impersonation, fraud and abetment.

How the syndicate allegedly operated

Citing Pakistani media reports, Bernama said Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) raided an online scam call centre at KASA Tower in Bahria Town Phase VIII, Rawalpindi.

Members of the syndicate allegedly posed as bank customer service officers and uniformed police personnel, intimidating victims with claims that they were involved in money laundering. The proceeds were allegedly moved through e-wallets before being converted into cryptocurrency.

The operation is believed to have been masterminded by a Malaysian operating from Cambodia in collaboration with a Chinese national, Bernama reported. Free Malaysia Today, citing Pakistani portal ProPakistani, separately reported that the syndicate was helped by supervisors and call centre managers in Pakistan, and that some members appeared in police uniforms against office-like backgrounds during video calls with victims.

Pakistan scam: CCID may send officers

Khalid said the CCID would keep communicating with the authorities in Pakistan, and that an investigation team could be sent there.

No names of those detained have been released, and police have not said when the full list of detainees will be obtained.

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