KOTA KINABALU: Police have arrested 12 people for suspected involvement in a cryptocurrency investment scam in Penampang near here.

       Penampang police chief Supt Sammy Newton said the suspects were detained on Wednesday (Jan 24).

       He added that they are believed to have acted as customer service agents, whose job was to convince their targets to invest in nonexistent cryptocurrency.

       "They targeted victims outside the country," he told reporters on Monday (Jan 29).

       "We also seized 11 desktop computers, 19 mobile phones and two laptops, among other items," he said, adding that the case was being probed under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

       In another operation, he said, they crippled an online gambling racket in a raid at a commercial complex building in the district on Thursday (Jan 25).

       A total of 11 people were arrested on suspicion of promoting the illegal activity, he added.

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       The suspects, a mix of locals and foreigners, comprised seven men and four women.

       "We also seized paraphernalia including 19 desktop computers, 27 monitors and 33 mobile phones as well as three laptops," he said.

       The syndicate also targeted clients overseas, he noted.

       The investigation is being conducted under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, he added.