{
  "id": 11134918,
  "title": "US$2m ‘scratch and win’ scam busted in Penang, 29 arrested",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/us-2m-scratch-and-win-scam-busted-in-penang-29-arrested-11134918",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T07:09:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/01/us2m-scratch-and-win-scam-busted-in-penang-29-arrested/237254"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Penang police have successfully dismantled an international 'scratch and win' scam syndicate, arresting 29 foreign nationals in three raids across Barat Daya. The suspects, comprising 19 Chinese nationals and 10 Cambodians aged between 20 and 63, were found operating the scam from three bungalows used as call centres. The syndicate reportedly targeted victims in China and Cambodia via Facebook Live and LINE applications, luring them with promises of prizes up to US$2 million. The operation involved converting the bungalows into call centres, with the suspects receiving up to RM8,000 a month. Over 200 mobile phones, 17 laptops, and other equipment were seized as evidence. The investigation is ongoing, with police tracing the flow of funds and identifying the mastermind behind the operation.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Penang police arrest 29 foreigners in 'Scratch and Win' scam raids",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/penang-police-arrest-29-foreigners-in-scratch-and-win-scam-raids",
        "published": "2026-10-01T03:21:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "US$2m ‘scratch and win’ scam busted in Penang, 29 arrested",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/us-2m-scratch-and-win-scam-busted-in-penang-29-arrested",
        "published": "2026-10-01T07:09:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}