KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 — Twelve individuals, including a woman, have been arrested on suspicion of being involved with a syndicate carrying out online gambling and love scams targeting victims in the United States.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the suspects, aged between 18 and 43, were arrested at a residential unit in the city on May 16.
The police also seized nine laptops, 33 mobile phones, a necklace, five rings, two sets of luxury watches, and foreign currencies in various denominations.
"The syndicate has been operating since April. All those arrested were the call centre's agents and were paid RM2,500 a month, in addition to a four per cent commission from the total losses suffered by the victims,” he told a press conference at Menara KPJ today.
Ramli said that to dupe their victims, the syndicate would create fake social media accounts via Facebook and Instagram before getting to know the victims in the United States.
The victims would then be offered links to online gambling sites, leading them to lose all the money they placed as bets.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
— Bernama
