Police Uncover Multiple Scam Syndicates Operating in Puchong with 29 Arrests

A quiet residential neighbourhood in Puchong has become the focus of a major anti-scam investigation after Selangor police uncovered three separate foreign-run criminal operations within the same enclave over two days.

The coordinated raids, carried out on May 19 and 20, led to the arrest of 29 foreign nationals suspected of involvement in online investment fraud and money laundering activities linked to cybercrime networks targeting overseas victims.

According to Datuk Shazeli Kahar, the operations were launched following intelligence gathered by law enforcement authorities. Despite operating from the same residential area, investigators believe the three syndicates functioned independently from one another.

The first raid was conducted by Sepang police on May 19 at a house in Bandar 16 Sierra, Puchong. Authorities arrested 11 foreign suspects aged between 18 and 63 who were allegedly involved in operating an online investment scam syndicate.

Police seized several electronic devices during the operation, including eight laptops and eight mobile phones believed to have been used in the fraudulent activities. Preliminary investigations indicated that the group had been active since March this year.

Authorities believe the syndicate promoted fake investment schemes through Telegram channels and dedicated websites designed to attract unsuspecting victims. Investigators suspect the group relied heavily on digital communication platforms to run operations remotely while concealing their identities and locations.

Later the same day, police carried out a second operation within the same neighbourhood, resulting in the arrest of seven more foreign nationals aged between 27 and 36.

Investigators alleged that this second group operated a separate online investment fraud network targeting victims in China. The syndicate reportedly used popular Chinese applications, including Douyin and Dongfangcaifu, to identify and communicate with potential victims.

Police believe the suspects exploited social media and financial-related digital platforms to build trust with victims before directing them into fraudulent investment schemes. Authorities noted that although the second operation shared the same geographical base as the first, there was currently no evidence suggesting both groups were organisationally connected.

The third operation took place on May 20 and focused on individuals suspected of laundering proceeds generated from online scam activities. Eleven additional foreign nationals were detained during the raid.

Investigators believe the suspects acted as financial intermediaries responsible for managing and processing illicit funds linked to cyber fraud operations targeting Chinese nationals. Authorities said the group had allegedly been active since April this year.

Police investigations further revealed that the suspects were believed to have operated as account managers tasked with collecting and organising financial information obtained through scam activities. The data was reportedly consolidated and managed by the syndicates leadership structure.

The discovery of multiple criminal groups operating from the same residential zone has raised fresh concerns over the growing sophistication and reach of transnational cybercrime syndicates in Malaysia. Scam operations increasingly rely on rented residential properties to avoid attracting attention while conducting illegal online activities through encrypted messaging platforms, digital payment systems and social media applications.

Authorities are now working closely with Immigration Department of Malaysia to verify the immigration status and entry records of all individuals arrested during the operations.

Police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities within residential or commercial areas, particularly operations believed to be linked to scam call centres or organised cybercrime networks.

Authorities stressed that public cooperation remains critical in helping law enforcement agencies respond quickly to emerging scam activities before larger numbers of victims are affected.