Almost 1000 people were arrested on Wednesday, November 20th, in Malaysia when authorities raided a building and discovered the largest online scam syndicate believed to be run by Chinese nationals in the country.
According to reports, authorities apprehended 680 suspected Chinese scammers at a six-storey building in Cyberjaya situated in South of the capital, Kuala Lumpur.
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Some suspects attacked security officials while others fled as a huge team from the immigration department launched a dramatic early morning raid on Wednesday.
Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud, Director General, Immigration Department, confirmed the arrests of the suspects after putting surveillance on the building for months following complaints from the public.
“We seized around 8,230 handphones, 174 laptops and 787 computers. Several of our officers were injured after a group attacked and tried to break through our barricade, around 100 succeeded and we are working with the police to track them down, ” he said at a press conference at the department’s headquarters.
He also added that the suspects targeted victims from China while offering them fast profits in return for investments.
The 603-men 77-women apprehended suspects entered the country on a social visit pass intended for tourists or visiting friends, but not for work, said by the Director General of the Immigration Department.
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The syndicate is believed to have been operating for the last six months. The office that was raided was rented at RM360,000
(US$86,000) a month, said immigration officials.
The suspects will be detained for 14 days. They are expected to face charges including violating social visit pass regulations, entering and residing in Malaysia without a valid visa and overstaying.
According to Director General, Immigration Department, Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud,also added that the office which the
syndicates operated was well secured, with guards stationed at each floor and rooms only being accessible with access cards.
The Chinese Embassy has been informed about the arrests, officials said.