KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Immigration Department busted an online scam syndicate and arrested 104 Chinese nationals in three separate raids, here, yesterday.
The suspects, aged between 18 and 39, were picked up at the 1Borneo Shopping Complex and two condominium units at Jalan Universiti Malaysia Sabah about 4pm.
They were believed to be involved in a China-base online investment activity for the past two months ago. Authorities believed the condominium units functioned as call centres.
The raiding party seized 916 mobile phones, 348 sim cards, 64 laptops, and 28 personal computers to assist investigation.
State Immigration Department director Datuk Dr Muhamad Sade Mohamad Amin said the syndicate has been found to target victims in China by offering them fast and high returns for their investments.
“All those detained had entered the country using social visit pass, but 69 of them were without passports or identification documents,” he noted.
"Forty-one officers and personnel were involved in the operation." he said.
When asked if the case was related to the arrest of 700 Chinese nationals involved in online scam in Cyberjaya, Selangor, Muhamad Sade said the matter were still being investigated.
“(However) the modus operandi is similar to the case in Cyberjaya." he said.
He added that all the confiscated items were seized under the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2001 (AMLA) and that the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia would be notified on the matter.
