Kota Kinabalu: Police arrested 341 individuals and seized assets worth more than RM1.1 million in 12 operations targeting calling centre syndicates across Sabah and the Federal Territory of Labuan between January and June this year.
State Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said the operations were carried out in Kota Kinabalu, Labuan, Tawau, Sandakan and Penampang following intelligence gathering and surveillance by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID).
Investigations found the syndicates were involved in various scams, including bogus investments, fake share trading schemes, love scams, non-existent loans, police impersonation and online gambling.
Victims were targeted through platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, KakaoTalk, Line and Band.
Of those arrested, 303 were Chinese nationals, 27 Malaysians, nine Vietnamese, one Taiwanese and one Laotian.
The suspects, aged between 17 and 60, allegedly worked as supervisors, customer service agents, programmers, financial administrators and money couriers.
Police also seized 1,109 mobile phones, 148 computers and laptops, 18 internet devices, RM210,265 in cash and other equipment used in the operations.
The cases are being investigated under the Penal Code and Immigration Act 1959/63.
