Penang Police Bust 14 Scam Call Centres, 141 Held

Penang police have arrested 141 people, including nine Malaysians, after raiding 14 suspected Penang scam call centres over three weeks, according to Bernama. State police chief Datuk Dennis Lim Kwang Keng told a press conference at the Penang Contingent Police Headquarters on Monday (Nov 2) that the raids were carried out between Oct 9 and Oct 29.

Lim said the suspects, aged 18 to 48, were believed to belong to different groups or syndicates involved in investment scams, love scams, impersonation of police officers and offers of non-existent jobs.

Penang scam call centres raided across three districts

The operations were carried out by the state Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) following intelligence gathering and surveillance. Five of the raids took place in Timur Laut, six in Barat Daya and three in Seberang Perai Tengah.

Those arrested comprised 93 Chinese nationals, 29 Vietnamese, four Japanese, three Taiwanese, two Cambodians, one Myanmar national and nine locals.

Police seized mobile phones, laptops, tablets, internet routers, electronic equipment and computer accessories, with a combined estimated value of RM1.4 million.

Victims mainly overseas

According to Lim, the syndicates mainly targeted victims outside Malaysia, including in China, Japan, the United States, Brazil and Hong Kong. They reached their targets through platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, WeChat, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Lim said the groups had rented houses in recent months and used Penang as their base. Bernama reported that most of the foreigners detained had entered Malaysia legally using valid passports.

Suspects remanded under Penal Code and Immigration Act

All the suspects have been remanded. The case is being investigated under Section 420 read together with Section 120B of the Penal Code, as well as Section 6(3) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

Police are also investigating the syndicates’ possible abuse of immigration passes and facilities. No court dates have been announced.

#latestmalaysia

18 Taiwanese Held in KL for Posing as Hong Kong Police

Call Centres