MELAKA: Police have smashed an e-commerce fraud syndicate masterminded by a foreigner with the arrests of 10 people.
Melaka police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Abdul Majid Mohd Ali said the suspects, including two foreigners, were detained during a raid at a bungalow in Taman Kota Bendahari here on Aug 20.
"The eight locals have no criminal records and were paid by the foreigner to 'like and share' products to attract buyers.
"Those arrested are aged from 19 to 36," he said on Wednesday (Aug 25).
DCP Abdul Majid said most victims were overseas, particularly China, who purchased products but the items were not sent to them after payments were made.
"The syndicate operated on the taobao.com platform," he said.
DCP Abdul Majid said the two foreigners were remanded for two weeks to assist investigations while the locals were released on police bail.
He said they would be investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, as well as the Immigration Act.
He said police confiscated 15 smartphones, six laptops and an international passport, among others.
DCP Abdul Majid also said 157 cases involving cheating through online purchases were recorded between Jan to July of this year with losses amounting to RM1.2mil.
"We have arrested 42 suspects and 36 have been prosecuted so far," he said.
DCP Abdul Majid said there were another 136 fraud cases involving non-existent loans during the same period with losses totalling about RM1.6mil.
"We have detained 88 suspects and prosecuted 56 in court," he said.
On Macau scams, he said 58 cases were reported with losses amounting to RM3.5mil with a total of 20 out of 64 suspects charged so far.
DCP Abdul Majid also said efforts by the police in the first seven months of this year led to 18.56% or 31 fewer cases on non-existent loan cases and 51.26% or 61 fewer cases for Macau scams compared to the same period in 2020.
But he said cheating through online purchases saw an increase of 29.75% or 36 cases this year compared to the same period last year.