Penang police bust foreign-led fake gift card scam operating out of posh Alma condo
State police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said the operation was carried out by a team from the Seberang Perai Tengah District Police Headquarters (IPD SPT) and the Penang Commercial Crime Investigation Department after several days of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
'During the raid, police found four local individuals, including a woman, aged between 18 and 28, who 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. Both are believed to be the main masterminds of the syndicate,' he said in a statement today.
Initial investigations revealed that the syndicate scammed victims by offering fake prizes via the Telegram app. They used a group called 'Malay Telegroup 875' to collect personal details from victims.
Hamzah said the scammers would call victims, offer them fake prizes, and ask for personal details. These details were then sent to a third party, believed to be a Telegram administrator based in Kuala Lumpur, who would later contact the victims again and ask them to pay certain fees to claim the fake prizes.
Police seized various items from the premises, including four monitors, eight mobile phones, three WiFi modems, four keyboards, an access card, internet cables, three folding tables, four chairs, four headphones, RM5,000 in cash, a house key, and four purchase receipts.
All suspects have been remanded for three days until May 16 to assist in investigations under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
MCMC probing individual over online post on chief justice
MCMC said the online post is believed to contain false claims regarding the appointment of the chief justice. PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission is investigating an individual for allegedly uploading offensive content about the judiciary. MCMC said the post is believed to contain false claims regarding the appointment of the chief justice. However, it did not provide any details on the claims that were made. In a statement, it said the individual was called in for questioning at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters at 2.30pm. A mobile phone and SIM card were seized as part of the investigation. MCMC said it views the spread of false and offensive content involving the judiciary seriously, and warned that any misuse of social media in such a manner could erode public trust and disrupt national harmony. It also said firm action will be taken under the law. The case is being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, relating to the improper use of network facilities or services, and provides for a fine of up to RM500,000, up to two years in prison, or both, upon conviction. Last night, the office of the chief registrar announced that Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh had been appointed the new chief justice, replacing Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired earlier this month. In a statement, the office said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong also consented to the appointments of Abu Bakar Jais as Court of Appeal president, and Azizah Nawawi as chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak. All three will be sworn in and presented with their letters of appointment at Istana Negara on July 28.
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Fake post on Chief Justice appointment lands Instagram user in MCMC probe
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is investigating an individual suspected of uploading fake content relating to the appointment of the Chief Justice on their Instagram. The commission said that the individual's statement was recorded at 2.30pm at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters and a mobile phone and SIM card were seized to assist in investigations. 'MCMC views the spread of fake content touching the integrity of the country's judicial institution seriously. Misuse of social media for such purposes can affect public confidence and the country's public order. 'Stern action will be taken according to existing legal provisions,' the commission said in a statement today. The case is being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 that stipulates a maximum fine of RM500,000 or two years' jail or both if found guilty. — Bernama
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Missing influencer: Rescuers fail to find new leads, search in Muar's Sungai Tui called off after four days
MUAR, July 18 — The search and rescue (SAR) operation for motoring influencer Tengku Nizaruddin Tengku Zainudin, who was reported missing on Monday after the vehicle he was driving plunged into Sungai Tui, Lenga, here, was called off today after rescuers failed to find any new leads. Muar district police chief ACP Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz said the Incident Command Post (PKTK) at the scene had also been closed as the search for the 38-year-old victim entered its fourth day. He said the operation, launched after a partially submerged car was found in the river located in an oil palm plantation, involved 77 personnel from various agencies. 'The search was carried out using land, water, and air methods covering a radius of several kilometres from the scene by the Muar district police headquarters (IPD), the Marine Police Force, the K9 Unit, and the General Operations Force (PGA) personnel. 'Also involved were the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), its water rescue team (PPDA) and Drone Unit,' he said in a statement today. According to Raiz Mukhliz, the PKTK was closed and the SAR operation called off following a decision to expand the search to other areas after a thorough search of the incident site had been completed. He said the move would also allow for better coordination among the agencies involved should other factors contributing to the victim's disappearance come to light. However, Raiz Mukhliz said search efforts would still be carried out periodically by personnel from the Lenga police station with assistance from Muar IPD. Earlier, the media reported that the victim, a businessman and owner of a vehicle accessories shop, went missing after the Perodua Axia he was driving plunged into the river. — Bernama
