{
  "id": 17332819,
  "title": "IGP confirms 130 Malaysians held in Pakistan over cybercrime syndicate, investigators may be sent to Rawalpindi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/igp-confirms-130-malaysians-held-in-pakistan-over-cybercrime",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T03:39:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/10/31/igp-confirms-130-malaysians-held-in-pakistan-over-cybercrime-syndicate-investigators-may-be-sent-to-rawalpindi/241383"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On October 31, Malaysian police announced the detention of 130 Malaysians in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, for alleged involvement in a cybercrime syndicate. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail stated that police are cooperating with Pakistani authorities via the Foreign Ministry to gather full details of the arrests. The matter has been forwarded to the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director for further action, and investigators may be dispatched to Pakistan to oversee the investigation's progress. The detained individuals include some with valid visas and others whose visas have expired. The identities of those arrested remain undisclosed, but they are confirmed to be Malaysian passport holders of various ethnic backgrounds. The investigation is believed to have originated from a series of fraudulent phone calls made by the suspects, posing as bank customer service representatives and subsequently transferring to other actors posing as Malaysian police officers. The suspects allegedly threatened victims with financial crimes and fraud before coercing them into transferring funds through e-wallets, which were later converted into cryptocurrency. The syndicate allegedly operated from Cambodia under the direction of a Malaysian individual, with the assistance of call center supervisors and managers in Pakistan. The case is currently under investigation in Pakistan under Sections 13, 14, and 16 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, as well as Penal Code provisions for extortion, impersonation, fraud, and abetment. The total losses incurred by victims, the number of confirmed victims, and the value of seized funds have not been disclosed.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — Police have confirmed that 130 Malaysians were recently detained by Pakistani authori...",
  "key_points": [
    "130 Malaysians detained in Rawalpindi for cybercrime syndicate.",
    "Police cooperating with Pakistani authorities via Foreign Ministry.",
    "Investigation may involve sending investigators to Pakistan."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}