Johor cops raid homestay, cripple Macau scam syndicate

 

Johor police arrested 17 locals in a raid on a homestay, crippling a Macau scam syndicate operating out of Bandar Penawar, near Kota Tinggi, yesterday (Feb 2).

State police chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said 15 men and two women, aged 22 to 33, were suspected of posing as Poslaju workers and enforcement officers to deceive their victims.

He said the 10.35am raid also led to the seizure of equipment, believed to be used to contact and deceive victims, including 57 mobile phones of various brands, a computer, and two modems.

He said the scammers would pose as Poslaju workers and deceive victims into believing that packages addressed to them had been detained for containing illicit items.

He added that they would claim the victims could be arrested and charged before offering to help them lodge police reports regarding the matter.

“Another syndicate member, posing as the investigating officer, would then offer to solve the case by asking for the victim’s personal information and banking details.

"The victim would be asked to follow instructions given through the phone to make transfers to accounts provided by the syndicate member,” he told reporters at a media conference in Johor Bahru today.

Ayob said some of those arrested were initially offered different jobs on social media and only knew of the work they would be doing after entering the house and they were not allowed to leave the premises as every necessity would be provided for by the syndicate chief, who is still at large.

“The syndicate members are from various states, including Sabah and Sarawak, and they are all paid monthly salaries between RM2,000 and RM7,000, in addition to commissions of one to three percent from the amounts they scammed.

“All those arrested have been remanded for four days until Saturday (Feb 6) under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating,” he said.

- Bernama

✍ Credit given to the original owner of this post : ☕ Malaysians Must Know the TRUTH

🌐 Hit This Link To Find Out More On Their Articles...🏄🏻‍♀️ Enjoy Surfing!