Malaysian immigration police have arrested 46 foreign nationals involved in an online fraud syndicate. Among them are individuals from Bangladesh, though the exact number remains unknown.
On Wednesday, February 19, Malaysia’s Immigration Department (JIM) conducted raids in 17 luxury residential areas in Kuchai Lama, Kuala Lumpur, leading to the arrest of individuals from China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Laos, and Thailand. The suspects, aged between 23 and 54, were allegedly part of a syndicate operating an online scam targeting both local and foreign victims.
According to JIM’s Deputy Director General (Operations) Zafri Embok Taha, the syndicate rented these properties to operate call centers. They lured victims by offering investments in gold, properties, luxury yachts, stocks, and foreign currencies. Social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, WeChat, WhatsApp, and Telegram were used to find potential victims.
The syndicate had been operating for about three months, earning an estimated daily revenue of 100,000 to 150,000 Malaysian ringgit. Members received monthly salaries ranging from 2,500 to 3,500 ringgit.
During the raid, authorities seized two server racks, four laptops, 88 mobile phones, three routers, four modems, 26 SIM cards, and 100,000 ringgit in cash.
All detainees were arrested under Malaysia’s Immigration Act for offenses such as illegal entry, overstaying, and violating visa conditions.