KUALA LUMPUR: Police here detained 18 Chinese nationals in five raids conducted at a luxury condominium in Bandar Manjalara for allegedly being involved in a love scam syndicate.

       The 14 men and four women were arrested in Ops Pelican raids at about 5.30pm on Friday (July 16).

       The operation led by Bukit Aman Integrity and Standard Compliance Department (JIPS) officer-in-charge Supt Azmi Shukor was conducted after police received information on suspicious activities involving foreigners at the luxury condominium.

       Bukit Aman JIPS director Comm Datuk Azri Ahmad said the syndicate has been operating for about two months.

       "They were targeting victims from China. We believe they earned about RM300,000 a month from their scams," he said in a statement on Saturday (July 17).

       Comm Azri added that several mobile phones, computers, electronic gadgets and RM126,000 cash were also seized during the raids.

       "We will investigate whether any police personnel were in cahoots with the syndicates. The criminal aspect of the case will be investigated by Kuala Lumpur police and the Immigration department," he said.

       Comm Azri said the police will continue its operation against online scams to prevent locals and foreigners from becoming victims.

       It is learnt that each syndicate member was paid between RM,3500 to RM5,000 each.