Kota Kinabalu: Fourteen Chinese men were detained in an immigration raid on a three-storey bungalow in an affluent residential area here, following suspicions that the premises was being used for online scam activities.
The raid, conducted under Ops Serkap at about 11pm on Nov. 4, involved 49 enforcement officers from the Sabah Immigration Department’s Kota Kinabalu headquarters.
Sitti SalehaSabah Immigration Department director Datuk Sh Sitti Saleha Habib Yussof said the operation followed a week of intelligence gathering and surveillance by the Kota Kinabalu Enforcement Division.
All 14 men aged between 26 and 44 were believed to have committed offences under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
“Checks on their travel documents and immigration records found that all the individuals entered Malaysia as tourists using Social Visit Passes.
“However, 13 were found to have overstayed, an offence under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, while another was found to be in the country without a valid pass or permit under Section 6(1)(c) of the same Act,” she told a press conference held at Sandakan Immigration Depot, Thursday.
During the raid, all the individuals were found inside the premises where there were various computer equipment and internet facilities.
Immigration officers also seized RM3,742 and CNY560 in cash, 14 laptop computers and related accessories, 75 mobile phones of various brands, 13 chairs, six tables and a set of internet equipment.
All 14 detainees, together with the seized items, were taken for further investigation and action under the relevant laws.
Sh Sitti Saleha said the department viewed immigration offences seriously, particularly cases involving foreigners who overstayed, entered or remained in the country without valid passes or permits, or misused their immigration facilities.
She added that suspected involvement of foreign nationals in online scam activities was also a serious concern due to its potential impact on public safety and national security.
“The Immigration Department will not compromise with any foreign national who violates the country’s immigration laws.
“Enforcement operations will continue to be intensified from time to time, including inspections and action against premises suspected of being used for illegal activities involving foreigners,” she said.
She urged the public, particularly Sabah residents, to channel information to the relevant enforcement agencies if they came across any suspicious activities.
