Police to send team to Pakistan over 130 Malaysians detained in scam raid

The Police have decided to dispatch a team to Pakistan to probe the case of 130 Malaysians detained in a scam raid conducted last month in Rawalpindi. According to Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa, the director of Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID), the officers will liaise with Pakistani authorities, collect statements, and scrutinize the devices seized during the operation.

Rusdi emphasized the importance of examining the evidence to unveil the syndicate's modus operandi, particularly their alleged utilization of Royal Malaysia Police uniforms to dupe victims. He also mentioned the need to gather information about the individuals who brought Malaysians to Pakistan for the scam.

Rusdi revealed that the police received news of the detention at the end of October through official channels involving the Home Ministry and their Pakistani counterparts, despite the arrests occurring on October 13. The identities of all 130 Malaysians were subsequently verified through collaboration between the police, embassies, and Interpol.

Out of the detainees, 59 were from Sabah, 57 from Sarawak, and the rest were from Johor, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Kelantan. Furthermore, investigations discovered that 92 of the detained individuals had no criminal records in Malaysia, while the remaining 38 had records linked to various offenses, including drugs, fraud, and gambling. Two were wanted in connection with fraud cases in Sabah.

Regarding their immigration status, 107 Malaysians had overstayed their visas, 20 possessed valid visas, two had visa extensions, and one lacked valid travel documents. All the Malaysians arrived in Pakistan in stages between June 8 and September 29, with the largest group of 53 arriving on August 3. In response to allegations that the Malaysians were misled by job offers, Rusdi noted that while some individuals involved in scams overseas might be aware of the true purpose of their recruitment, there are also those who unknowingly participate in the schemes, occupying roles such as call operators, cooks, or supervisors.