Penang police have arrested 20 foreign men during a raid on a homestay in Batu Ferringhi suspected of operating a love scam call centre targeting victims in China.
GEORGE TOWN: Police have arrested 20 foreign men believed to be linked to a suspected love scam call centre operating from a homestay in Batu Ferringhi.
Timur Laut district police chief ACP Abdul Rozak Muhammad said the suspects, aged between 19 and 41, were arrested during a raid at about 7.05pm on Sunday.
He said the operation was conducted by the Timur Laut Commercial Crime Investigation Division and Batu Ferringhi police.
“Initial investigations found that the syndicate is suspected of targeting victims in China and using Telegram to conduct its online scam activities,” he said in a statement.
Police also seized mobile phones, laptops, notebooks and telecommunications equipment believed to be linked to the operation.
Abdul Rozak said the case was being investigated under Sections 420 and 120B of the Penal Code for cheating and criminal conspiracy.
All 20 suspects were remanded for four days from today until Thursday to assist investigations.
The arrests come amid several recent cases involving suspected love scam syndicates operating in Penang.
On July 21, nine Chinese nationals claimed trial at the Balik Pulau Magistrate’s Court over allegations of involvement in a love scam syndicate operating from a condominium in Sungai Nibong Kecil, Bayan Lepas.
In June, police detained 10 foreigners during a raid on a suspected love scam call centre at Taman Pinggiran, Bukit Minyak. The syndicate was believed to have targeted victims in Malaysia, China and Taiwan.
Six of the suspects — five Chinese nationals and a Taiwanese national — later pleaded guilty and were each fined RM9,000 by the Bukit Mertajam Magistrate’s Court.
In November last year, five Chinese nationals were also arrested in Batu Ferringhi in connection with an investigation into a suspected online love scam syndicate.
They were subsequently fined for immigration offences after pleading guilty to work pass violations and overstaying.
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