Perak Police bust Macau Scam syndicate that shifts operation due to COVID-19

IPOH: Perak Police have succeeded in busting a Macau Scam syndicate targeting locals nationwide, involving a loss of about RM11 million.

Police believe the syndicate had been operating overseas for the past two years and relocated their operations to Malaysia following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Acting Perak Police Chief, Datuk Goh Boon Keng said the success was the result of police intelligence after receiving a report of a victim who is believed to have been cheated of RM67,000 by the syndicate.

“The police have been conducting a week-long investigation into this case and we got a clue that has led to success where the police from IPD Ipoh and IPK Perak with the cooperation of JSJK Bukit Aman, conducted an operation and a raid on a condominium in Seri Petaling.

"In the raid at about 5 pm on October 30, we arrested a total of 22 suspects who are members of a syndicate carrying out activities at a call center," he said at a press conference at the Perak Contingent Police Headquarters here on Tuesday.

According to him, along with all the Malaysian suspects aged between 18 to 27 years, the police also confiscated various communication devices such as mobile phones, laptops and a car.

Goh said based on the modus operandi of the syndicate, they deceived the victims by disguising themselves as Pos Laju officers and police.

As a result of the investigation, the police have detected 76 cases involving the syndicate so far and the police are tracking down the group leader.