Japanese, Chinese nationals in Perak nabbed over online scam call centre

Perak police busted an online scam call syndicate allegedly run by Japanese and Chinese nationals in three simultaneous raids on condominium units in Kampar, Perak, on Sept 24.

Perak police chief Alwi Zainal Abidin said 13 people were detained – nine Japanese nationals and four Chinese men – all aged between 20 and 57.

He said the syndicate, believed to have been active since August, targeted victims in Japan by impersonating Japanese police officers.

“The three raided premises are believed to have been used as call centres for the operation,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian today.

Alwi said investigations found that some members of the syndicate operated in Cambodia before entering Malaysia on social visit passes and carrying out similar activities.

Police seized two laptops, 18 mobile phones, two iPads, an internet router and three badges resembling those used by Japanese police.

They also confiscated three card holders bearing what appeared to be Japanese police logos, three sets of clothing including blazers, and a Japanese-language scam script. The seized items were worth about RM20,000 in total.