THE Immigration Department arrested 164 foreigners and locals believed to be part of an online scam syndicate operating at three resorts in Langkawi today.

Those detained were 27 Chinese nationals, two Thais, one Myanmar national and 134 Malaysians, aged between 18 and 35. They were arrested in a noon raid on the resorts.

Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the raid was mounted by its Putrajaya Intelligence and Special Operations Division following information gathered from the local community.

“As a result of six months of intelligence, we detected the activities of the syndicate operating in resorts that have not yet been opened to the public after the movement control order period ended,” he told reporters today.

“The syndicate, which is believed to have been active since about a year ago, turned the resorts into operation centres and venues to train recruits.”

He said the syndicate, believed to be masterminded by Chinese nationals, also recruited Malaysians to carry out their illegal activities.

He said they would operate at a place for up to a month before moving to other locations to avoid detection by the authorities.

“The syndicate’s operating costs are estimated at RM800,000 per month, for salaries, accommodation, rent and others,” he said.

“Our investigation also found that the Malaysian suspects were paid RM3,000 per month and a commission of RM15 for each person they recruited.”

Khairul said they also confiscated 756 mobile phones, 150 computers and laptops as well as various other electronic equipment used by the syndicate to carry out its activities. Seventeen Chinese passports were also seized.

Checks revealed that some of the suspects used new passports that had no travel records while others used medical treatment passes. Some did not have valid travel documents.

Khairul said the Chinese nationals detained are being investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Passport Act 1966 while the local suspects are being detained for further investigation.

He said the department will also investigate the owners of the three resorts. – Bernama, January 12, 2023.