KUCHING, Nov 12 — Police have dismantled seven online scam syndicates operating in Sarawak and arrested 42 individuals, including 28 foreign nationals, during a series of raids under Op Magpie 01/2026.

Sarawak police commissioner Saifullizan Ishak said the operation, coordinated by the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department’s Operations Intelligence Division, was carried out simultaneously across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak to combat organised scam call centre activities.

Between October 19 and 31, seven separate raids were conducted in Bintulu, Kuching, Padawan, Miri, and Sibu, targeting syndicates operating out of residential properties — specifically two bungalows, three terraced houses, and two apartment units.

Of the 42 suspects detained, 36 were men and six were women, aged between 19 and 61.

“Among them, 14 were Malaysians, while the remaining 28 were foreign nationals comprising 18 Chinese citizens, eight Indonesians, one Taiwanese national, and one Myanmar national,” he told a press conference here.

He added that the foreign suspects had entered Malaysia as tourists.

To date, 33 individuals have been charged in court, while three others have been made prosecution witnesses.

Of those charged, 17 pleaded guilty and were fined between RM500 and RM4,000 each.

Saifullizan said the syndicates targeted victims in Japan, China, Indonesia, Australia, and Austria through fraudulent investment schemes, cryptocurrency scams, fake online gambling platforms, and love or job scams.

“If you look at the victims of these scams, none were locals; all of them were foreign nationals,” he said.

Investigations revealed the syndicates had been operating for varying durations — the longest-running outfit had been active for about 11 months, while the newest was detected after just 10 days.

During the raids, police seized assets worth an estimated RM230,000, including 33 laptops, four desktop computer sets, seven mobile phones, five Unifi routers, a Starlink satellite internet kit, and a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Saifullizan noted that scam syndicates have shifted away from conventional telephone lines, relying instead on internet-based calls and satellite systems like Starlink to evade detection.

The cases are being investigated under Sections 420 and 120B of the Penal Code for cheating and criminal conspiracy.

He acknowledged that investigating such syndicates could be challenging as their victims were based overseas, making it difficult for police to obtain evidence directly from them.

Nevertheless, he stressed that police would continue efforts to identify the masterminds, financial networks, and individuals involved in facilitating these operations.

Saifullizan also pointed out that taking legal action against landlords whose properties are misused by syndicates remains challenging, as proving complicity is difficult.

”Based on the statements we have recorded so far, the property owners were genuinely unaware of what was happening,” he said, adding that some landlords focus solely on rental income without vetting their tenants.

As such, he urged property owners to exercise greater caution when renting out their premises, including verifying the identities of tenants and the intended use of their properties.

He further identified abandoned factories, newly developed housing areas, sparsely occupied apartments, and relatively quiet commercial centres as locations commonly targeted by scam syndicates.

Saifullizan called on members of the public to be alert to unusual activities at such premises, particularly frequent movements of people in areas that would otherwise see little activity.

“Therefore, if members of the public notice any unusual activity in these areas, it could indicate the existence of a scam call centre.

“Even if you are unsure, you should still provide us with the information,” he said.

Members of the public with information on suspected online scam operations can contact the Sarawak Commercial Crime Investigation Department on 011-62890089. — The Borneo Post