logo
Police bust online sextortion syndicate, teenager among nine arrested

Police bust online sextortion syndicate, teenager among nine arrested

JOHOR BARU: Police have smashed a syndicate involved in online sex scams and extortion following the arrest of nine individuals, including two women and a teenager, in a series of raids under Op Bugil.
The suspects, aged between 17 and 50, were detained during operations conducted from June 20 to July 1 in Johor Baru and Kulai area.
Johor police chief Datuk M Kumar said the group, believed to be active since November last year, created fake social media accounts and used a female member to lure victims into explicit video calls.
"The syndicate would send a link to the victim's phone. Once clicked, it allowed the syndicate access to the victim's contact list and photo gallery.
"During the call, the victim would be coaxed into performing indecent acts, which were secretly recorded. The footage was then used to extort money from them."
"Victims were usually blackmailed for between RM500 and RM1,000 per video call. If they refused, the syndicate would threaten to send the recording they had taken during the inappropriate video call to all those on the phone contact list, including family members."
He said the syndicate also recruited local teenagers who had dropped out of school, offering salaries of between RM2,200 and RM4,000 a month.
"These youths were trained before being sent abroad to countries such as Indonesia, Laos and Thailand."
Kumar said during the raids, police also rescued three victims, including two teenagers aged 15 and 16.
"These teens were forced to work long hours, up to 12 hours a day. They were confined, and any non-cooperative staff would be subjected to beatings.
"Although some were given short breaks, their movements were monitored. Their phones and identity cards were kept by the syndicate and in case any of them wanted to leave, they were asked to pay RM30,000 to the syndicate."
Items seized during the raids included 27 mobile phones, identification documents, flight tickets, currency exchange receipts, RM140 in cash, foreign currencies, laptops, 49 SIM cards, modems, employment books, a car and a remote-control device.
The case is being investigated under Sections 5, 10 and 15(f) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017; Sections 12 and 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007; Regulation 25(1)(o) of the National Registration Regulations 1990; Section 12 (1)(f) of the Passport Act 1966; Section 324 of the Penal Code and Section 43 of the Societies Act 1966.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Berlin police arrest 57 at pro-Palestinian protest during Pride march
Berlin police arrest 57 at pro-Palestinian protest during Pride march

The Sun

time4 hours ago

  • The Sun

Berlin police arrest 57 at pro-Palestinian protest during Pride march

FRANKFURT: Berlin police confirmed the arrest of 57 individuals during a pro-Palestinian demonstration held alongside the city's annual Pride march. Authorities reported that 17 officers sustained injuries in the clashes. Approximately 10,000 demonstrators gathered on Saturday in support of Palestinians, but police intervened as organisers failed to maintain order. Arrests were made for public disturbances, resisting law enforcement, and the alleged use of anti-Semitic slogans. Police also cited the display of symbols linked to 'anti-constitutional and terrorist organisations.' The rally was organised by the 'Internationalist Queer Pride for Liberation' movement, which advocates for anti-imperialist and anti-Zionist causes. Meanwhile, Berlin's main Pride parade saw 64 arrests for offences including assault and the alleged use of banned symbols. A separate far-right counter-protest against the Pride march also resulted in 20 arrests. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have surged across Germany and Europe amid ongoing tensions in Gaza. Germany, historically a staunch ally of Israel, has recently voiced stronger criticism over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The government has also signalled support for recognising a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution. – AFP

MCBA foils attempt to smuggle exotic animals worth RM73,000
MCBA foils attempt to smuggle exotic animals worth RM73,000

New Straits Times

time5 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

MCBA foils attempt to smuggle exotic animals worth RM73,000

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Control and Border Protection Agency (MCBA) has foiled an attempt by a man to smuggle six exotic animals worth RM73,000 to Hyderabad, India. In a statement today, the agency said the local man was arrested in an operation involving its KLIA personnel and the Aviation Security (AVSEC) team at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1. "Acting on intelligence received, two KLIA MCBA officers along with three AVSEC personnel conducted a further inspection of a passenger's luggage. "The suspect was detained at 10pm after he was found attempting to smuggle several exotic animals on flight MH0198 to Hyderabad, India." MCBA said an initial X-ray scan of the luggage revealed suspicious images resembling wildlife. "Further inspection uncovered six wild animals - two silvery langurs (lotong kelabu), two siamangs, and two armadillos - all classified as endangered and protected species under both national and international laws." The agency said the 38-year-old suspect, from Selangor, was detained to assist investigations under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008. "All the seized animals have been handed over to the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) for further action," it added. The agency said the effort reflects MCBA's continued commitment to combating wildlife smuggling activities, which threaten the country's biodiversity and tarnish Malaysia's image on the international stage.

Man arrested for smuggling exotic animals out of KLIA Terminal 1
Man arrested for smuggling exotic animals out of KLIA Terminal 1

New Straits Times

time5 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Man arrested for smuggling exotic animals out of KLIA Terminal 1

SEPANG: A man was arrested last night after he tried to smuggle six exotic animals, estimated to be worth RM73,000, out of the country through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1. The man, 38, who was travelling to India, was arrested at 10pm after a team from the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia's (CAAM) Aviation Security Division discovered a pair of silvery langur, siamangs and armadillos each during an enforcement operation. "Acting on a tip, two MCBA members and three AVSEC members conducted a further search on the baggage of a passenger after initial checks via a scanner machine showed suspicious images resembling wildlife inside. "The search led to the discovery of six exotic animals," the AKPS said in a statement today, adding that the animals were seized and taken to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) for further action. "The case is being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008," it added. – Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store