Malaysia detains 87 Chinese in online investment scam ring bust

The suspects were rounded up during raids on residential and office units in Puchong by the Immigration Department

Six desktop computers, 33 laptops and 203 mobile phones were seized in the operation

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Malaysia’s Immigration Department detained 87 China nationals in a series of raids in Puchong. Photo: Facebook

Published: 8:33pm, 1 Jan 2020Updated: 8:35pm, 1 Jan 2020

A total of 87 China nationals were detained in a series of raids in the town of Puchong on Wednesday, a senior Malaysian Immigration Department official said.

Khairul Dzaimee Daud, the Immigration Department director general, said the 79 men and eight women that were detained had been rounded up after raids were conducted on five residential and nine office units at a building in Puchong.

He added that six desktop computers, 33 laptops and 203 mobile phones were seized in the raids.

“The suspects were detained as they are believed to be running an investment scam. At the time of the raids, the screens were showing various investment schemes, including forex trading and cryptocurrencies,” he told a press conference on Wednesday.

Khairul added that the units raided were also believed to have been used as training centres for syndicate members.

“We discovered various scripts and manuals for the suspects to follow. They are being trained to approach customers through online applications,” said Khairul.