LANGKAWI: The immigration department detained 164 foreigners and locals believed to be part of an online scam syndicate operating at three holiday resorts in Langkawi today.
Those arrested were 27 Chinese nationals, two from Thailand, one Myanmar national and 134 Malaysians, aged between 18 and 35. They were arrested in a noon raid at the resorts.
Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the raid was mounted by its Putrajaya intelligence and special operations division following information gathered from the local community.
“As a result of six months’ of intelligence, we managed to detect the activities of the syndicate operating at resorts that have yet to be opened to the public after the movement control order (MCO) period ended.
“The syndicate, which is believed to have been active since a year ago, turned these resorts into operation centres and venues to train new members as operators,” he told reporters.
He said the syndicate, believed to be masterminded by Chinese nationals, also recruited Malaysians to carry out illegal activities.
He said they would operate at a site for up to a month, before moving on to other locations to avoid detection by the authorities.
“The syndicate’s operating costs are estimated at RM800,000 per month for monthly salaries, accommodation, rent and various other facilities.
“The investigation also found that the Malaysian suspects were paid RM3,000 per month and a commission of RM15 for each person they managed to recruit,” he said.
Khairul said the department also confiscated 756 handphones, 150 computers and laptops as well as various other electronic equipment used by the syndicate to carry out its activities. Also confiscated were 17 Chinese passports.
Checks revealed that some of the suspects used new passports that had no travel records while others used medical treatment passes. Some did not have valid travel documents.
Khairul said all Chinese nationals detained during the raid were being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Passport Act 1966. The Malaysian suspects were being detained for further investigation.
The department will also investigate the owners of all three resorts, Khairul said.
