KUALA LUMPUR — City police have crippled a large online scam syndicate after storming eight call centres and arresting 57 individuals, including five Malaysians, in a series of coordinated raids across the capital from 10 to 14 November.
Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said the operations were carried out after weeks of intelligence gathering, surveillance, and cooperation between multiple units. The call centres, cleverly hidden inside high-rise residences and rented homes, were used as “command hubs” to run various online scams targeting Malaysians and foreign victims.
According to Fadil, the raids were led by the Kuala Lumpur Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), with strong assistance from district-level and state-level contingents. Officers moved in simultaneously at several locations to prevent members of the syndicate from destroying evidence or fleeing.
The suspects, aged between their early 20s and late 40s, were found operating laptops, mobile phones, VoIP devices, and other telecommunication tools. Many were believed to be trained “scam callers”, hired to pose as bank officers, government officials, or customer service agents to deceive victims into transferring money.
Police also seized hundreds of SIM cards, multiple internet routers, work scripts, and transaction logs believed to contain data of victims. Initial investigations show the syndicate had been active for months and was handling high call volumes daily.
Fadil said the success of this operation shows the police’s firm stance against online fraud, which remains one of the biggest threats to public safety and financial security. He urged the public to remain vigilant and to verify any suspicious calls, especially those involving financial transactions.
“All scam syndicates will continue to be our priority. We will hunt them down and bring them to justice,” he said, adding that more arrests are expected as investigations deepen.
The 57 suspects are being investigated under offences related to cheating and misuse of communication networks. Police are also working to identify the masterminds believed to be operating from abroad.
The case serves as yet another reminder that while technology brings convenience, it also opens the door to criminals who prey on the unsuspecting. Authorities once again encourage the public to stay alert, double-check information, and report suspicious calls immediately. – Bernama
