KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — Police detained 18 Taiwanese nationals suspected of involvement in an online scam syndicate impersonating Hong Kong police after raids on two luxury apartment units here on Thursday.

Dang Wangi police chief ACP Ahmad Azwan Amin Nordin said 17 men and one woman, aged between 19 and 43, were arrested during the 6.35pm raid.

“Police seized 69 mobile phones, five laptops, and two sets of Hong Kong police uniforms,” he said in a statement today.

He added that based on the items recovered, the syndicate is suspected of cheating by posing as Hong Kong police officers and targeting victims in the special administrative region of China.

Ahmad Azwan said initial investigations found the syndicate used local internet access and has likely been operating for about five months.

All suspects have been remanded for four days until November 2 to assist in the investigation under Section 420/511 of the Penal Code.

He also urged members of the public with information about such activities to contact the Dang Wangi District Police Headquarters at 03-26002222 or any nearby police station. — Bernama