TAWAU: Police arrested 80 foreigners suspected of running an online fraud syndicate targeting Chinese-Americans in the United States in a raid on a resort along Jalan Air Panas, here, on Tuesday.
The suspects comprise 78 Chinese nationals, including four women, one from Myanmar and another from Laos, aged between 17 and 46.
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According to sources, the syndicate had been operating under the guise of a resort business and is believed to have entered Sabah three months ago.
Members allegedly posed as Chinese police officers to carry out online scams against their victims.
Their operations were uncovered during a coordinated intelligence-led raid at 9.20pm by the State Police Contingent’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department’s Operational Intelligence Division, in collaboration with the Commercial Crime Investigation Divisions in Tawau, Sandakan and Keningau.
The resort is believed to have served as a fully self-contained operation centre, housing workspaces, training facilities, residential quarters and rest areas for syndicate members.
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Among items seized during the raid were mobile phones, computers, scripts, bags, passports, banners, modems and Chinese police uniforms.
On Wednesday, 77 of the detainees were brought before the Magistrate's Court here for remand orders, while three others receiving hospital treatment were granted a three-day remand.
Six suspects, including the Laos national, were released but ordered to remain available to assist investigations if required.
