Perak Police Bust Fake Job Scam Call Centre Syndicate
Operation Details
On Friday, Perak police, in cooperation with the Manjung District Police Headquarters, conducted a raid at 9:45 pm to bust a fake job scam call centre syndicate operating from a homestay in Pulau Pangkor. The syndicate was targeting victims from China.
Arrests and Seizures
The operation resulted in the arrest of 15 individuals, including 13 Chinese nationals and two locals. The Chinese nationals, aged between 26 and 41, were detained along with a local married couple, aged 61 and 63. Police seized 12 laptops, six Wi-Fi modems, and 88 mobile phones of various brands, estimated to be worth RM80,000.
Modus Operandi
Investigations revealed that the syndicate was using the house to carry out a call centre job scam, offering online job opportunities that primarily targeted victims in China. The syndicate offered online jobs requiring victims to complete tasks involving online purchases to boost product ratings. Victims were lured with promises of profits for completing tasks, but they never received any returns after making payments.
Local Couple’s Involvement
The local couple involved in the scheme rented the house and supplied food to the syndicate members. They were also arrested and remanded for four days, from February 22 to February 25, 2025.
Legal Action
The case is being investigated under Section 420 and Section 120(B) of the Penal Code. Police will also check the passport status of the Chinese nationals with the Malaysian Immigration Department and take action under the Immigration Act 1959/63 if any violations or misuse of visit passes are discovered.
Public Cautious
Police Chief Noor Hisam Nordin urged the public to be cautious and not to trust any online job offers that require them to make upfront payments to complete tasks. He emphasized that victims of such scams often fall prey to false promises of easy profits and may lose large sums of money.
Conclusion
The Perak police’s swift action in dismantling this fake job scam call centre syndicate has prevented further financial losses to victims. The operation demonstrates the police’s commitment to combating online fraud and protecting the public from falling prey to such schemes.
FAQs
Q: How many individuals were arrested in the operation?
A: 15 individuals were arrested, including 13 Chinese nationals and two locals.
Q: What was the modus operandi of the syndicate?
A: The syndicate offered online job opportunities that required victims to complete tasks involving online purchases to boost product ratings, with promises of profits for completing tasks.
Q: What was the estimated value of the seized items?
A: The seized items, including 12 laptops, six Wi-Fi modems, and 88 mobile phones, were estimated to be worth RM80,000.
Q: How long were the suspects remanded for?
A: The 15 suspects were remanded for four days, from February 22 to February 25, 2025.