JOHOR BAHRU, July 29 — Johor police have crippled a major online scam syndicate operating from Forest City, Iskandar Puteri, following a large-scale integrated operation that led to the arrest of 335 individuals and the dismantling of 32 premises used as illegal “calling centres”.
Johor Police Chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the operation, conducted on July 17 by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) together with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Johor contingent, targeted two areas under the Iskandar Puteri district police headquarters, namely Tanjung Kupang and Gelang Patah.
scam centres
He said police raided and inspected 27 apartment units and five bungalows, all of which were found to be operating as scam centres targeting victims overseas through online fraud activities.
Following the raids, police opened 23 investigation papers involving offences under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, Section 120B of the Penal Code for criminal conspiracy, and Section 6(1) of the Immigration Act 1959.
Ab Rahaman said investigations are ongoing to identify the syndicate’s masterminds, financial networks and possible links to international criminal organisations.
The successful operation underscores the authorities’ continued commitment to dismantling transnational cybercrime syndicates using Malaysia as a base for cross-border scam operations while strengthening efforts to protect potential victims at home and abroad.
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