Malaysian police bust AI-powered scam syndicate targeting Spanish victims from Johor bungalow
Malaysian police arrested 35 Chinese nationals in Johor after uncovering an AI-assisted scam syndicate targeting victims in Spain through fake online job offers and fraudulent payment schemes.
- Police arrested 35 Chinese nationals linked to an AI-assisted scam syndicate in Johor.
- The group allegedly targeted Spanish victims with fake online job offers through Telegram.
- Authorities seized RM65,000 worth of electronic devices and are pursuing local collaborators.
JOHOR, MALAYSIA: Iskandar Puteri police have dismantled an international scam syndicate accused of targeting victims in Spain through fake online job offers operated from a luxury bungalow in Gelang Patah, Johor.
The operation was uncovered during a raid conducted at about 11.50pm on 14 May 2026 following two weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance by police.
Authorities arrested 35 Chinese nationals aged between 21 and 39 during the operation.
Police believe the suspects acted as agents for a transnational fraud network targeting European victims.
Use of AI in scam operations
Iskandar Puteri district police chief ACP M Kumarasan said the syndicate used artificial intelligence technology to overcome language barriers with victims in Spain.
According to Kumarasan, the suspects used AI applications to translate conversations from Chinese into English while also converting Spanish responses from victims into English during live communications.
Police said the syndicate relied on prepared language templates and Telegram to communicate with victims and conduct fraudulent recruitment schemes.
Victims were allegedly promised lucrative overseas job opportunities before being pressured into purchasing increasingly expensive “job packages” to unlock higher salary levels.
Authorities said the jobs did not exist and victims eventually suffered financial losses after making repeated payments.
Raid and seized equipment
Investigators revealed the syndicate had been operating from the six-room bungalow since February 2024.
The property was reportedly rented at RM18,000 a month, equivalent to approximately US$4,535.
During the raid, police seized electronic equipment estimated to be worth RM65,000, approximately US$16,376.
Items confiscated included 35 mobile phones, 35 laptops, 10 desktop computers and 12 network modems believed to have been used in the scam operation.
Police said 33 of the detainees admitted to working as scam agents, earning about RM4,000 monthly.
Two additional suspects claimed they worked as cooks and reportedly received salaries of RM3,500 a month.
Ongoing investigations
Initial urine screenings found all suspects tested negative for drugs and none had prior criminal records.
All 35 suspects have been remanded until 28 May 2026 to assist investigations.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 and Section 120B of the Penal Code, as well as Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959.
Police are also searching for a 25-year-old Malaysian man, Muhamad Ling Mohd Adam Ling, believed to be an intermediary linked to the syndicate.
Authorities said investigations were continuing into possible local collaborators and wider international criminal networks connected to the operation.
Regional shift in scam activity
The Johor case comes amid growing concerns that organised scam syndicates are relocating operations across Southeast Asia following intensified crackdowns in Cambodia and Myanmar.
Malaysian authorities have recently uncovered several scam centres targeting victims in Europe and Asia, including Italy, Singapore, China and Indonesia.
Recent raids in Perak, Selangor and Kelantan resulted in more than 100 arrests, mostly involving foreign nationals allegedly linked to cryptocurrency investment scams, romance scams and fake job schemes.
Police also seized computers, mobile phones and satellite internet devices, including Starlink equipment, during those operations.
