Bukit Aman cops busts forex scam ring that targeted European victims

Following a raid on an office located at Jalan Bukit Bintang on February 6, a total of 49 suspects have been arrested by the police for their involvement in an international fraud syndicate. The syndicate is being accused of offering fraudulent online investments to citizens of European countries.

The director of Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department, Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, revealed that the preliminary investigations have indicated that the syndicate was targeting individuals from France, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland with forex investment fraud. These fraudulent schemes were being marketed via Telegram and the Riacapital website, attracting victims who were subsequently encouraged to invest in the scam.

The suspects who were apprehended include 31 men and 18 women, with ages ranging from 20 to 41. Among them were two Malaysians, 11 Guineans, eight Algerians, four individuals each from Togo and Ukraine, three from both Morocco and Mauritius, two from Cameroon, Congo, and Tunisia, and one from Armenia, Senegal, Haiti, Djibouti, Madagascar, and Chad. Additionally, it was disclosed that some of the foreigners had misused their student visas and others had overstayed.

During the raid, the authorities confiscated a substantial amount of evidence, which included 47 computers, 49 mobile phones, six laptops, and two television sets. It was further mentioned that the Malaysians involved in the syndicate have been released on bail while a foreign woman, who happened to be pregnant, was also granted police bail. The remaining suspects have been remanded under the Immigration Act.

Comm Ramli emphasized that the two Malaysians played a crucial role in helping the syndicate move around, while the foreign nationals were suspected to have violated immigration laws. It is evident from this operation that the authorities are taking a strong stance against fraudulent activities and are committed to bringing those responsible to justice.

The crackdown on this international fraud syndicate not only signifies a significant victory for law enforcement but also serves as a warning to would-be perpetrators that such schemes will not go unpunished. By dismantling and apprehending those involved in these criminal operations, it is hoped that this will act as a deterrent and prevent others from engaging in similar illicit activities.