Malaysia detains 13 over scam call centres impersonating Japanese police

Malaysian police have detained 13 people suspected of running online scam call centres that impersonated Japanese police officers to defraud victims in Japan.

Perak police raided three condominium units in Kampar, Perak, simultaneously on 24 September, police chief Alwi Zainal Abidin said on Sunday. The detained — nine Japanese nationals and four Chinese men, aged between 20 and 57 — are alleged to have used the premises as call centres for the operation.

Abidin said the syndicate is believed to have been active since August and targeted victims in Japan by impersonating Japanese police officers. He added that investigations found some members had operated in Cambodia before entering Malaysia on social visit passes and carrying out similar activities there.

Police seized two laptops, 18 mobile phones, two iPads, an internet router, three badges resembling those used by Japanese police, three card holders bearing what appeared to be Japanese police logos, three sets of clothing including blazers, and a Japanese-language scam script. The seized items were worth about RM20,000 in total.

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

Ipoh Echo, which also reported the raids, said all 13 suspects were remanded from 25 to 28 September to assist the investigation.

Sources

• Free Malaysia Today
• Ipoh Echo