US$2m ‘scratch and win’ scam busted in Penang, 29 arrested
GEORGE TOWN, Oct 1 — Penang police have busted an international scam syndicate targeting victims, particularly in...
Penang police have successfully dismantled an international scam operation, arresting 29 foreign nationals, primarily Chinese and Cambodian, in a 'scratch and win' scam targeting victims in China and Cambodia. The operation, conducted by the Penang Commercial Crime Investigation Department, took place on September 22 at three bungalows serving as call centres in Barat Daya.
The suspects, aged between 20 and 63, were allegedly operating the scam for about two to three months, renting the bungalows for RM10,000 a month each and earning up to RM8,000 a month. The syndicate used Facebook Live and the LINE application to lure victims with the promise of lucrative prizes, up to US$2 million. Victims were asked to pay for processing fees, taxes, and insurance via QR code payments, but never received the promised rewards.
Police seized over 200 mobile phones, 17 laptops, two desktop computers, six modem or router sets, customer records, 'Scratch and Win' cards, suspected fake documents, and studio equipment. The suspects have been remanded until October 13, and police continue to investigate the mastermind behind the operation under specific sections of the Penal Code and the Immigration Act.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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