Malaysia Detains 20 in Suspected Investment Scam Centre Raid

Malaysian immigration officers detained 20 foreign nationals after raiding luxury residences suspected of housing an investment scam operation in Kuala Lumpur’s Pudu district.

The operation took place near Jalan San Peng at about 11:45 a.m. on October 27. Officers inspected four residential units following two weeks of intelligence gathering based on information from the public, Sinar Harian reported on October 28, citing Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban.

Individuals detained during the raid in Kuala Lumpur. Image supplied by the user.

Luxury Residences Allegedly Used to Conceal Operations

Zakaria said officers from the Intelligence and Special Operations Division at Immigration Department headquarters in Putrajaya carried out the raid. The detainees, aged 23 to 43, comprised 16 men and four women from China, Taiwan (China), Thailand and India.

In a statement on October 28, he said the suspected syndicate rented luxury residential premises as operating centres to evade detection by the authorities.

The operation was allegedly run by teams from China, Taiwan (China), Thailand and India. Different teams targeted victims in markets including Thailand, India, Taiwan (China) and Japan.

Workers’ Movements Restricted, Authorities Say

Investigators found that the foreign workers were not allowed to leave the premises freely, while meals were delivered from outside through food delivery services, according to Zakaria.

The suspected operation had reportedly been running for about a month, with daily working hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Officers also found various medicines in one unit that were believed to have been imported.

Seized items included 45 mobile phones, eight desktop computers, three laptops, five routers, four walkie-talkies, access cards and Thai-language scam scripts. Officers also seized passports, RM5,370 in cash and foreign currencies.

Detainees Face Immigration Investigation

Zakaria said the detainees were suspected of offences under Malaysia’s Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963. All were taken to the Immigration Office for further investigation.

The report did not disclose the number of victims or their losses, and did not announce investment fraud charges against those detained.

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