15-05-2025
Penang cops smash syndicate offering fake prizes
Penang police chief Hamzah Ahmad said four local residents aged between 18 and 28 admitted to working as call centre operators for the syndicate. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : Penang police have busted an online scam syndicate run by foreigners, which offered fake gift card deals through a call centre operating from a luxury condominium in Alma, Bukit Mertajam.
The operation was carried out by a team from the Seberang Perai Tengah police headquarters and Penang commercial crime investigation department after several days of surveillance and intelligence, said Penang police chief Hamzah Ahmad.
'Four local residents, including a woman, aged between 18 and 28, admitted to working as call centre operators for the past week. They were paid RM2,600 a month.
'Also at the premises were a foreign man and woman, aged 23 and 38, who entered Malaysia on May 1 using social visit passes. They are believed to be the main masterminds of the syndicate,' Bernama quoted Hamzah as saying today.
He said an investigation revealed that the syndicate scammed victims with fake prizes offered through the Telegram app, using a group called 'Malay Telegroup 875' to collect personal details.
The personal details were then sent to a third party, believed to be based in Kuala Lumpur, who would later contact the victims and ask them to pay certain fees to claim the fake prizes.
Police seized several items from the premises, including four monitors, eight mobile phones, three modems, four keyboards, four purchase receipts and RM5,000 in cash.
The suspects have been remanded until May 16 to assist in the investigation under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
