Police bust fraud syndicates, 11 arrested

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ACP Alexson (centre) with the the sezied exhibits.

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MIRI:  Police have detained 11 individuals in connection with scam activities and bank card fraud last week.

The operation, spearheaded by the District Commercial Crime Investigation Division, unearthed a trove of incriminating evidence, shedding light on the suspects’ illicit operations.

Miri Police Chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu, today (Jan 12), said the first arrest took place on Jan 8 at about noon.

Two local men, aged 34 and 46, were apprehended in the Jalan Pujut area for suspected involvement in recruiting individuals to provide mule accounts (akaun keldai).These accounts were then used for fraudulent transactions.

Seized during the operation were a Perodua Myvi car, seven mobile phones, 44 ATM cards from various banks, 29 SIM cards from different telecommunications providers, two sling bags, RM32 in cash, and a notebook listing bank account details.

The confiscated items are valued at approximately RM40,000.

ACP Alexson Naga Chabu (centre) is showing the seized script used by the suspects in their activities.

The suspects reportedly sold and distributed ATM cards to facilitate fraudulent activities. They were remanded for three days under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

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The second operation, conducted on Jan 10 at around 3pm, led to the arrest of nine individuals — eight men and one woman — at a residence in Taman Bayshore, Jalan Pantai.

Evidence seized in this case included 20 mobile phones,two computer sets, two laptops, 21 iPads, a tablet, two passports belonging to the suspects, and various documents, scripts, and victim details.

The estimated value of the confiscated items was RM30,000.

Initial investigations revealed that the syndicate, which began operations in November 2024, posed as police and National Security Anti Scam (NSAC) officers to defraud victims.

The suspects, recruited through a Facebook job advertisement offering RM2,000 per month and flight tickets, were trained to memorise scripts and deceive victims into handing over money.

All nine suspects have been remanded for four days under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

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