TAWAU: Police have dismantled an online stock investment scam syndicate operating from four luxury bungalows in Batu 10, Jalan Apas, following the arrest of 28 foreigners in a raid on Wednesday night.
In the 9.30pm operation, a team from the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) at the Tawau district police headquarters, together with the Strike Team and Task Force of the Tawau Internal Security and Public Order Department, detained 26 Chinese citizens including a woman, and one Vietnamese woman, aged between 21 and 59.
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A social media expert was also present during the operation to assist investigations.
Based on facts presented in court Thursday, police seized 33 mobile phones, three laptops and two WiFi modems believed to have been used in the scam activities.
Initial investigations found that the syndicate had entered Sabah to carry out online stock investment fraud using platforms and applications such as Telegram,
WhatsApp and KakaoTalk to deceive victims into making investments.
It is understood that the syndicate’s main targets were South Koreans.
The four luxury bungalows raided were believed to have been used as workspaces, training centres and accommodation for syndicate members.
All suspects were brought to the magistrate’s court here Thursday morning for a remand application to assist investigations.
Magistrate Dayang Aidaku Amira Aminuddin allowed a four-day remand until Monday for all suspects, following an application by CCID Inspector Siti Dayana Adillah.
Police said investigations were ongoing, including recording statements from all suspects, tracking remaining syndicate members at large, and identifying the group’s wider network.
