Police arrest 74 Chinese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese nationals in KL scam call centre bust

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar speaks during a press conference at the Bukit Aman police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on September 22, 2026. Picture by Firdaus Latif

First Published: Wednesday, 30 Sep 2026 8:48 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) busted an online gambling and scam call centre syndicate with the arrest of 74 foreigners in Ops Dadu Khas around the capital Monday.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M. Kumar said the simultaneous raids on eight residential premises were conducted in collaboration with the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID).

He said 67 men and seven women aged between 20 and 50 were arrested, comprising 61 Chinese nationals, 12 Vietnamese and a Taiwanese, based on preliminary checks of their identification documents.

“Checks found that all eight premises were believed to be linked to activities promoting online gambling, ‘love scams’ and non-existent investment scams, besides being used as hostels or accommodation for call centre operators,” he said in a statement yesterday.

M. Kumar said the raiding team also seized various electronic devices believed to have been used for the criminal activities, including computers, laptops, modems and mobile phones of various brands.

Police also seized a transparent plastic packet containing five reddish pills suspected to be Yaba, weighing 0.8 grammes, as well as 5.72 grammes of powder and crystal fragments suspected to be methamphetamine.

Following the raids, he said eight investigation papers have been opened under Section 4(1)(g) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, and Section 120B of the same Code for criminal conspiracy.

The cases are also being investigated under Section 39A(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, as well as Sections 6(1)(c) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for various immigration offences.

“PDRM remains committed to combating gambling activities as they have a significant negative impact on the country’s economic stability and contribute to social breakdown.

“Total enforcement against all forms of unlicensed gambling activities will continue to be intensified, involving various agencies, including local authorities,” he said.

He also urged the public to continue providing information to assist in combating such activities. — Bernama