GEORGE TOWN: Police have busted five international phone and investment scam syndicates operating in Penang, arresting 108 suspects allegedly involved in scams targeting overseas victims.

Penang police chief Datuk Dennis Lim said the syndicates were operating from rented bungalows across the state and had no known Malaysian victims.

“The five cases involved phone scam and online investment scam operations. They operated from here but targeted victims overseas,” he told a press conference at the northeast district police headquarters here today.

Lim said police conducted five raids on July 16 and 17, arresting 108 suspects comprising local and foreign nationals.

He said police detained 14 people, including a local Chinese man and 13 Chinese nationals, in Tanjung Bungah over an alleged non-existent investment scam targeting victims in China.

Another raid in Batu Ferringhi led to the arrest of 16 Chinese nationals, who were believed to have been involved in a similar investment scam targeting victims in China.

Police also arrested 34 suspects, including Vietnamese, Chinese and Cambodian nationals, in George Town for allegedly operating another non-existent investment scam aimed at victims in China.

In Gelugor, 16 Chinese men were detained over a similar operation that allegedly targeted victims in China, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Lim said the fifth raid in Bukit Mertajam resulted in the arrest of 28 suspects from Taiwan, the Philippines, Pakistan and South Africa, who were allegedly involved in phone scams by impersonating FBI officers and Canadian police to deceive victims in Canada and the United States.

“Investigations have yet to establish any links between the five syndicates.

“At this stage, we have not found any connection between them,” he added.

Based on intelligence, Lim said the syndicates appeared to have been operating in the state for only one to two months.

“Investigations are ongoing,” he said.

Asked why Penang appeared to be attracting such syndicates, Lim said police could not determine the reason but did not rule out the possibility that criminals preferred operating from affluent neighbourhoods.

“It is a possibility. We do not know yet. Criminals may choose more affluent locations because they believe they can avoid suspicion,” he said.

Lim urged property owners to conduct proper background checks before renting out their premises.

“We ask all owners to verify the background of prospective tenants and also check through their agents.

“Do not simply rent out your property without proper screening,” he advised.

On the financial losses caused by the syndicates, Lim said police were unable to determine the amount as all known victims were overseas.

“There are no Malaysian complainants or victims, so we do not have any loss figures. We are trying to trace the financial transactions,” he said.

This article first appeared on NST.