KL police bust 97 online scam cases, seize over RM5mil last year

KUALA LUMPUR: Police busted 97 online scam cases and seized more than RM5mil, in a series of integrated operations conducted in the capital throughout last year.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said a total of 1,070 individuals were arrested, comprising 600 locals and 470 foreigners, while 2,845 units of telecommunications equipment, used to contact victims, were also seized.

He said the operations were carried out by the Kuala Lumpur Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) and Bukit Aman’s CCID.

“All arrests were made at various locations around Kuala Lumpur, involving residential premises illegally used as syndicate operation centres, and police also seized cash amounting to RM5,067,818,” he said, in a statement on Monday (Jan 5).

Fadil said that initial investigations found that all those arrested were syndicate workers involved in various scam modus operandi, including fake job offers, fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes and other forms of online fraud.

“All suspects have been charged in court, under Section 120B (2) of the Penal Code, for criminal conspiracy to commit online fraud, as well as under the Immigration Act 1959/63, for offences related to travel document violations involving foreign nationals,” he said.

He added that police would continue to intensify efforts to eradicate online scam syndicates, and that members of the public with information on crimes or suspicious activities can report it to the Kuala Lumpur Police Hotline at 03-2115 9999 or to any nearby police station. – Bernama