38 Arrested as Malaysia Dismantles 6 Investment and Romance Scam Syndicates

Malaysian authorities have arrested 38 individuals following a series of coordinated raids that dismantled six organised fraud syndicates operating in Selangor. The operations, carried out in Kajang and Petaling Jaya last week, targeted networks involved in investment scams, romance fraud, job-related deception and illegal online gambling.

Police seized electronic devices worth approximately RM138,000 (US$34,870), believed to have been used to run the schemes. Among those detained were three Malaysian men aged between 19 and 50, while the remaining suspects were foreign nationals.

According to Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar, the syndicates focused heavily on victims across Asia, particularly in China, Japan, Indonesia and Singapore. Investigations showed that the groups operated in a structured manner, with members assigned roles such as operators and customer service agents responsible for communicating with victims.

Authorities found that some syndicates specialised in supplying digital accounts to larger scam networks. These groups created WeChat and iCloud accounts using false identities before selling them through Telegram to China-based fraud operations. This system enabled scam networks to scale their activities while masking their identities.

The investigation revealed that digital platforms were central to the syndicates methods. Fraudsters used applications such as WeChat, WhatsApp, Line, Telegram and Potato to approach victims. They typically posed as trusted contacts or potential romantic partners, gradually building relationships before introducing fraudulent investment opportunities or requesting money transfers.

In a separate operation, Kajang police dismantled a romance scam syndicate that had been active since February 2026. Four foreign men were arrested. The group targeted victims in Indonesia and Singapore, with operators assigned to establish online relationships. Once trust was secured, victim details were passed to other members who executed the financial fraud, often involving fictitious gifts or urgent monetary requests.

Police also disrupted two investment scam syndicates during the raids. One operation resulted in the arrest of eight men, while another led to the detention of seven foreign suspects and one local driver. These groups targeted victims in China through a platform known as “POTATO”, promoting high-return investment opportunities that did not exist. Victims were persuaded to transfer funds under the promise of quick profits, a common tactic in online trading fraud.

In one of the most significant findings, authorities uncovered an “account supply factory” during a raid in Semenyih. The operation, conducted at 1.30am on 8 April 2026, led to the arrest of three foreign nationals. Investigators determined that the group had been active since October 2025, systematically producing fraudulent digital accounts for resale to scam syndicates abroad. This discovery highlights the industrial scale and coordination behind modern cyber fraud networks.

Authorities confirmed that the foreign suspects had entered Malaysia legally earlier this year using social visit passes. Their immigration status is now under review. All suspects have been remanded for between four and seven days as investigations continue.

The case is being investigated under Sections 420 and 120B of the Penal Code, covering fraud and criminal conspiracy. Police have indicated that further action is likely as they work to identify and dismantle the wider networks connected to these operations.