Police in Kuala Lumpur have arrested 12 individuals following a raid on a call center involved in a love scam and online gambling operations in the city.
The suspects, aged 18 to 43, were found working from a residential unit during the May 16th raid, according to Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Commissioner Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf. Authorities seized nine laptops, 33 mobile phones, various foreign currencies, and other items.
Initial investigations indicated the syndicate had been active since April, creating fake social media accounts to target victims in the United States and directing them to gamble online, where they would lose their money.
The call center agents, paid MYR2,500 ($530) monthly plus a 4 percent commission on victims’ losses, are being investigated under Sections 420 and 511 of the Malaysian Penal Code. These codes refer to offenses related to cheating and dishonesty, as well as attempting such crimes, and can result in prison sentences and corporal punishment if a suspect is found guilty.
Separately, Commissioner Ramli addressed allegations by an NGO that police recently failed to investigate a MYR3.5 million ($745,000) stock case in the country, clarifying that the case was classified as a civil matter after a thorough investigation, as the complainant had received 45 percent of the stock’s value and had the option to file a civil suit for the remaining amount. He urged the NGO to understand legal classifications and support the complainant in pursuing civil action if necessary.
