MELAKA, Oct 22 — Police crippled the activities of two call center syndicates suspected of being involved in online non-existent investment scams and love scams through two separate operations around Melaka Raya and Ayer Keroh, here.

Melaka Tengah District Police Chief ACP Halim Abas said that in the first operation on October 20, 14 Chinese nationals - comprising 11 men and three women aged between 21 and 52 - were arrested at four accommodation units in a hotel in Melaka Raya between 1pm and 3 pm.

“Initial investigations found that the premises were suspected of being used as a call center operations hub for online non-existent investment scam activities targeting Chinese nationals.

“The syndicate is believed to have started operating since mid-September, with the suspects acting as customer service officers to find and contact victims, as well as receiving a salary of about RM3,000,” he said at a press conference here today.

Halim added that police also seized 28 mobile phones of various brands, two laptops, a tablet, a translation device, five mobile phone farm charging/control hubs, 96 prepaid SIM cards, and RM6,400 in cash, with the total value of the seizures estimated at RM43,500.

Meanwhile, he said that in the second operation yesterday at about 3:00 pm, a premises at a resort around Ayer Keroh was raided, leading to the arrest of 15 men consisting of 14 Vietnamese nationals and one Chinese national aged between 21 and 40.

“Initial investigations found that the premises were suspected of being used as a call center operations hub for online scam activities using a love scam modus operandi targeting Vietnamese nationals.

“The syndicate is believed to have started operating since the beginning of this month, with the suspects playing the role of customer service officers to find and contact victims, as well as receiving a salary of about RM2,500,” he said.

Halim said police seized 11 sets of computers of various brands, 24 mobile phones, a Starlink router, a remote control set, a translation device, and 15 passport books, with the total value of the seizures estimated at RM43,400.

He added that four investigation papers were opened regarding the first operation, while one investigation paper was opened for the second operation.

All suspects are being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code as well as Section 6(1)© of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for offences related to personal identification documents.

“All suspects in the first operation have been remanded for four days from October 21 to 24, while the suspects in the second operation have been remanded for four days from October 22 to 25 to assist with the investigation,” he said. — Bernama