Malaysia police arrest 58 in love scam at resort allegedly targeting Singapore men via WhatsApp
Malaysian police arrested 58 suspects after raiding a Kelantan resort used as an alleged love scam centre targeting Singaporean men. Authorities said victims were tricked through online relationships before sending money. Equipment including computers and Starlink devices was seized.
- 58 suspects arrested in Kelantan love scam raid targeting Singaporean victims.
- Resort converted into call centre using WhatsApp-based emotional manipulation tactics.
- Authorities seized major tech equipment; investigations continue under criminal laws.
KELANTAN, MALAYSIA: Police in Malaysia have arrested 58 people following a raid on an alleged love scam syndicate operating from a resort in Kelantan, believed to have targeted Singaporean men.
Kelantan police chief Yusoff Mamat said the operation had been running for about a month, with suspects using rented resort premises converted into a call centre.
According to Yusoff, “Their modus operandi was to send messages before building relationships through WhatsApp without video calls, and eventually deceiving victims into sending money,” as reported by local media.
Scam centre in a Kelantan resort
The syndicate allegedly occupied several rooms and a hall within the resort, operating daily from noon to midnight, with three supervisors and 55 operators managing the scam network.
Police said 58 suspects were detained, comprising 53 men and five women aged between 20 and 30, including nationals from China, Myanmar, India and Pakistan, alongside two Malaysians.
Authorities seized 46 computers, five laptops, 118 mobile phones and eight routers, including Starlink devices believed to ensure stable connectivity and avoid detection.
The total value of seized items was estimated at RM179,000 (US$45,000), while investigators said no victim reports had yet been lodged.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 and Section 120B of the Penal Code for cheating and criminal conspiracy with all suspects remanded for four days to assist investigations.
Rising scam trend
Yusoff said commercial crime cases in Kelantan had increased by 100 per cent since 2024, warning that authorities would intensify efforts against syndicates that not only cause financial losses but also damage Malaysia's international image.
Police also said the syndicate used high-speed satellite connectivity devices, including Starlink systems, to maintain uninterrupted communications and potentially evade detection by authorities.
No formal complaints have been received from victims so far, and investigators are working to identify potential victims in Singapore and other countries who may have been targeted by the scheme.
Police said the raid on Wednesday was carried out following intelligence gathered by the Kelantan commercial crime investigation department, which had been monitoring suspicious online financial activity linked to the premises.
Investigators found that 33 of the foreign nationals held valid travel documents, while the remainder were believed to be undocumented, and checks are ongoing to determine their roles in the syndicate.
"We view such online scam syndicates seriously and will continue to intensify enforcement to dismantle networks operating both locally and internationally, " he was quoted as saying.
All suspects have been remanded since Thursday for four days to facilitate further investigations into the syndicate’s operations.
Investigations remain ongoing under Malaysia’s Penal Code provisions on cheating and conspiracy.
