SIXTY-SEVEN Chinese nationals were detained for suspected involvement in the “Macau Scam” in a raid on a shophouse in Jalan Eco Cascadia, Johor Baru, on Friday.

The South Johor Baru Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) and Iskandar Puteri CCID conducted the raid, following a public tip-off.

State police chief Mohd Khalil Kader Mohd said the suspects comprised 59 men and eight women, aged between 19 and 38.

He said initial investigations revealed that the syndicate had set up an operation centre in Malaysia, targeting victims in China.

“The syndicate’s modus operandi is more about online lottery sales and gambling. We have sought assistance from Bukit Aman, as well as contacted Interpol and Chinese police,” he told reporters in Johor Baru today.

Khalil said the suspects failed to produce valid identification documents, believed to be kept by the syndicate’s mastermind.

“We are still gathering information and carrying out investigations to identify the syndicate’s mastermind.

“All those arrested are believed to have entered the country legally, using their own passports.

“Investigations also found that the syndicate had been operating on the premises for the past month. We are looking for the tenant.”

He said police seized 100 computers, four laptops, six WiFi modems, 71 mobile phones, two Local Area Network Switchports and several documents.

He said the suspects have been remanded for 14 days until July 6 under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating and Section 6(3) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for not having a valid passport. – Bernama, June 25, 2018.