MALACCA police busted a Nigerian-run love and parcel scam syndicate early yesterday.

State acting police chief Razali Abu Samah said five suspects, comprising three men and two women all aged 23 to 44, were nabbed at three apartments in Bukit Beruang Bestari and a house in Bukit Melaka between 5am and 10am yesterday.

Initial investigations found that the suspects entered the country without valid travel documents and have been active in the syndicate for the past six months, he added.

“The syndicate is believed to have been masterminded by a 44-year-old Nigerian man, who introduced himself to his fellow apartment residents as a professor to hide the real activity in which he is involved.

“The syndicate members were in the midst of engaging in scamming activities using laptops and hand phones when officers conducted the raid, and were unaware of the presence of police.”

He said the syndicate’s modus operandi is to use photographs of Caucasian men to attract the attention of women to start a chat process, and then deceive them with offers of love and parcels (gifts).

Police also found books containing scripts used to con victims, as well as pen drives, five Wi-Fi modems, six laptops, 12 hand phones and seven documents, believed to be fake.

Razali said the syndicate is suspected of being involved in drug-related activities, after police found 600g of compressed cannabis, 34.7g cannabis and 2.6g ketamine – all worth RM5,000.

“Initial investigations also found that the drugs are sold to students of private higher learning institutions in Ayer Keroh.”

The suspects will be brought to court for a remand application under section 117 of the criminal procedure code today. – Bernama, March 25, 2022.