KUALA LUMPUR: Nine suspects, including four teenagers, were detained in a raid on a job scam syndicate posing as an ecommerce platform.
The arrests took place at a call centre operated by the syndicate on Monday.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said four locals and five Chinese nationals, aged between 14 and 40, were detained in the raid.
“They were working as call operators and data managers at the call centre.
“We also seized various items, including 18 mobile phones, four laptops, five computers, a script, a router and a bag,” Comm Ramli told a press conference at CCID headquarters yesterday.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate had been operational since January, using a website that mimicked a legitimate ecommerce platform.
They pretended to sell genuine products and services, but this was merely a ruse to dupe unsuspecting victims.
“They targeted victims from China and claimed to have collaborated with reputable ecommerce platforms such as Taobao and JD.com,” said Comm Ramli.
Using a pre-written script, syndicate members would approach victims and entice them by claiming they could earn high commissions selling items.
“Those interested will then be added to a Telegram group, where all communications and instructions were relayed. Promised commissions ranged from 0.3% to 0.6%,” he added.
Additionally, Comm Ramli noted that the syndicate had access to victims’ user accounts on the platform, enabling them to manipulate credit and profit data.
“They could also create fake transactions to further entice the victims,” he said.
Five of the suspects have been remanded until July 26, while the remaining four have been released on police bail.
