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TAWAU: Police detained 80 foreign nationals suspected of involvement in an online scam syndicate targeting Chinese Americans in the United States during a raid at a resort in here on Tuesday.

A source said the suspects comprised 78 Chinese nationals, including four women, as well as one Myanmar national and one Laotian, aged between 17 and 46.

The syndicate, believed to have entered Sabah about three months ago, allegedly operated under the guise of a resort and conducted online scams by impersonating police officers from China.

The activities were uncovered during an integrated operation at 9.20pm led by the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (JSJK) of the Sabah police contingent headquarters, with assistance from Tawau, Sandakan and Keningau commercial crime units.

Police seized mobile phones, computers, scripts, bags, passports, banners, modems and Chinese police uniforms, while 77 suspects were brought before the Magistrate’s Court for remand, three others receiving hospital treatment were also remanded, and six individuals were released to assist in investigations.