TAWAU: The remand order for 28 suspects linked to a non-existent online stock investment scam syndicate operating from luxury bungalows here, targeting South Korean victims, has been extended for another three days until May 14.
Magistrate Don Stiwin Malanjum allowed the remand extension application filed by investigating officer Inspector Siti Dayana Adillah, on Monday.
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The application was made to enable further investigations following the expiry of the initial four-day remand obtained last week.
In the remand application, the court was informed that police had yet to complete investigations due to limited communication caused by language barriers and also required the suspects’ assistance to unlock passwords for applications used by the syndicate.
Last Thursday (May 7), all 28 suspects comprising 27 Chinese nationals, including one woman, and one Vietnamese woman aged between 21 and 51, were remanded for four days to assist investigations into the case.
They were earlier arrested during raids on four luxury bungalows in Bandar Sri Indah (BSI), Batu 10, Jalan Apas at about 9.20am on May 6 his year, exactly one month after the arrest of 80 scam suspects previously.
The raids were carried out by the Commercial Crime Investigation Division (CCID) of the Tawau District Police Headquarters together with the Strike Team and Task Force of the Internal Security and Public Order Department.
During the operation, police seized 33 mobile phones, three laptops and two internet modem sets believed to have been used in the illegal activities.
Initial investigations revealed that the syndicate entered Sabah and was believed to have conducted online stock investment scams through several instant messaging communication platforms targeting South Korean nationals.
The syndicate was also believed to have used the raided premises as its operation centre, training facility, accommodation and resting area for syndicate members.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 and Section 120B of the Penal Code.
