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Major online job scam syndicate busted in Kuala Lumpur raid

In a predawn operation on Thursday, Kuala Lumpur authorities cracked down on a major online job scam syndicate. 23 individuals were detained.

Investigations revealed a month-long covert operation targeting international victims through social media, employing fake profiles to lure victims with lucrative commissions.

Published

12 months ago

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: In a wee morning operation on Thursday (21 Sep), authorities in Kuala Lumpur took decisive action against a significant online job scam syndicate following weeks of intelligence gathering.

The operation, conducted jointly by the Commercial Crime Investigation Division of the Dang Wangi District Police and the Commercial Crime Investigation Department of the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters, targeted two residential units located in the bustling Persiaran KLCC area.

A total of 23 individuals were apprehended during the raid, which unfolded around 12:15 AM, said Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Noor Dellhan Yahaya in a press statement.

The detained individuals included 12 local men, 9 male foreigners, and 2 female foreigners, with ages spanning from 18 to 52 years.

Preliminary investigations into the syndicate’s activities unveiled that they had been operating covertly for almost a month, with a primary focus on targeting victims abroad through various social media applications.

To lure unsuspecting individuals, the syndicate had ingeniously constructed fake personal profiles, enticing their victims with the promise of lucrative commissions.

Alarming discoveries emerged during further scrutiny, revealing that two of the detained individuals had prior criminal records.

Consequently, all those taken into custody have been remanded for a four-day period, commencing from September 21 to September 24, 2023, to facilitate an extensive investigation.

The case has been registered under Section 420/511 of the Penal Code, reflecting the gravity of the charges.

The Malaysian authorities also seized a cache of electronic equipment, including 31 mobile phones, 14 central processing units (CPUs), 14 monitors, 10 keyboards, 10 computer mice, a laptop, one router, a modem, and an access card.

In light of this operation’s success, the Police urge the public to remain vigilant and actively collaborate with law enforcement agencies by promptly reporting any suspicious or unlawful activities.

Malaysian escapes month-long job scam ordeal at Thai-Myanmar border

Recently, a 23-year-old Malaysian, who fell victim to a human trafficking syndicate’s deceptive job offer, has been successfully rescued from Myawaddy, Myanmar after a harrowing month-long ordeal, all without having to pay a ransom.

The victim, Mr Lai responded to a Facebook job offer in early August promising daily earnings of RM200 in Thailand, only to find himself ensnared in a trap that led him to Myanmar. Agents had purchased his round-trip tickets to Bangkok.

Upon arrival, he and another individual from Penang were transported to Myanmar, where Mr Lai sensed something was wrong and discreetly contacted his family.

Although he wasn’t initially subjected to abuse, he was coerced into fraudulent activities, including creating counterfeit Facebook accounts. When they discovered his contact with authorities, he was physically assaulted, resulting in visible bruises and burn injuries.

Desperation mounts as 30 Malaysian victims remain stranded in Myanmar

Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim, the Secretary-General of the Malaysian Humanitarian Organization (MHO), has brought attention to the distressing plight of approximately 30 victims who have fallen victim to job scams and remain stranded in Myanmar.

Furthermore, the grim reality is that many of these cases have endured for over a year without any sign of resolution.

He went on to describe the modus operandi of the syndicate, which typically contacts victims’ families to demand exorbitant ransoms.

Failure to comply results in victims being subjected to abuse, deprivation of food, and physical assaults with blunt objects.

The ransom amounts demanded by the syndicate have ranged from RM30,000 to RM150,000, creating a heavy burden for the victims’ families.

In one instance, a family had already paid RM150,000, only to find that the syndicate had not released the victim as promised.

In the most recent case, a family was coerced into paying a staggering RM1.2 million (US$ 255,781), having already disbursed RM90,000 to the syndicate to secure the victim’s release.

This financial strain forced the family to sell their land to obtain the necessary funds.

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Crime

Singaporean fugitive deported from Thailand, to be charged with drug trafficking

A Singaporean fugitive arrested in Thailand, was deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024 and faces drug trafficking charges. Authorities expect him to face the death penalty under Singapore’s tough drug laws for running a smuggling operation between Thailand, Australia, and Singapore.

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2 hours ago

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19 September 2024

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A 31-year-old Singaporean man, wanted for drug trafficking offences, was arrested in Thailand and deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024.

The fugitive, identified as Benny Kee Soon Chuan, was apprehended by Thai police at his residence near Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and will face charges in court on 20 September.

Kee, described as a high-level trafficker, ran a smuggling operation that trafficked crystal methamphetamine, ketamine, and Ecstasy to Australia and Singapore using Thailand as a transit hub, according to Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon, secretary-general of Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

Cross-Border Investigation and Arrest

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) of Singapore had issued an arrest warrant for Kee following investigations into two drug trafficking cases in December 2020 and November 2022.

He had been on the run since 11 April 2016, prompting CNB to collaborate with its international counterparts, including the ONCB. Thai authorities were tipped off by CNB on 12 August 2024, and after weeks of investigation, Kee was apprehended on 17 September.

Thai immigration officials revealed that Kee had entered Thailand earlier in 2024 using a Vanuatu passport.

Following his arrest, Kee’s Thai visa was cancelled, and assets worth 15 million baht (S$585,000), including luxury watches, gold pieces, and a luxury car, were seized during a raid on his residence in Samut Prakan.

Lt Gen Panurat confirmed that the fugitive had been living an affluent lifestyle in Thailand despite lacking legitimate employment.

Links to Broader Drug Network

Kee is believed to be linked to other Singaporean traffickers involved in the smuggling of drugs from Thailand.

In March 2021, Thailand’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force (AITF) intercepted packages containing Ecstasy and ketamine destined for Singapore, as well as crystal methamphetamine bound for Australia.

Two other Singaporean men, aged 21 and 29 at the time of their arrests, were later sentenced to imprisonment and caning in Singapore for their involvement in these operations, which were connected to Kee’s trafficking network.

Death Penalty Under Singaporean Law

Kee’s deportation to Singapore brings him under the jurisdiction of Singapore’s severe drug laws, which prescribe the death penalty for those convicted of trafficking substantial amounts of controlled substances.

Singaporean authorities have indicated that he could face the death penalty under the country’s strict drug trafficking laws. Pol Lt Gen Panurat indicated that Singaporean authorities are expected to seek the maximum penalty for Kee’s alleged offences.

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Crime

Islamic firm CEO among 19 arrested in Malaysia’s charity home abuse scandal

The CEO of Islamic firm Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) and his wife were among 19 arrested by Malaysian authorities on Thursday for alleged child abuse linked to their charity homes. Last week, police rescued 402 children from these homes. Investigations revealed a horrifying network of abuse, with at least 13 children allegedly sodomised or taught to sexually assault others.

Published

6 hours ago

on

19 September 2024

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MALAYSIA: In a major crackdown, Malaysian police have arrested several members of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) top management, including CEO Nasiruddin Ali and his wife.

The arrests were made in a special operation conducted by Bukit Aman’s criminal investigation department at multiple locations.

As of 19 September, total of 19 people were detained, including the CEO’s two children and the child of former Al-Arqam leader Ashaari Muhammad.

Among those arrested are 12 men and seven women, aged between 30 and 65.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain confirmed the arrests and promised to provide updates soon.

The arrests come on the heels of a significant child sexual abuse scandal involving GISBH.

Last week, police rescued 402 children from 20 welfare homes linked to the organization in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

They also arrested 171 people, including an ustaz and a hostel warden.

The case sent shockwaves throughout the country as investigations revealed a horrifying network of child abuse.

At least 13 of the rescued children were allegedly sodomized or taught to sexually assault others.

GISBH initially denied operating the welfare homes and rejected the allegations of abuse.

However, Nasiruddin later admitted that cases of sodomy had occurred within the organization in the past, while denying any deviant teachings.

In a related development, three men linked to GISBH pleaded not guilty in a Seremban court to charges of sexually assaulting boys aged between nine and 11 at a religious school associated with the organisation.

The alleged assaults took place between 2022 and 2023 in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan.

Additionally, another man was charged in Putrajaya for allegedly threatening a woman to withdraw a police report against GISBH.

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