MUAR: Police crippled an online gambling and fraud investment syndicate operating from housing estates here with the arrest of seven suspects, including three women, yesterday.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz said the 8.45am raid, codenamed Op Pelican, was a crackdown on fraudsters engaging in fictitious investments and online gambling.
He said the operation resulted in the apprehension of suspects aged 21 to 37.
"The arrests were made in two houses in the residential areas in Muar after mounted surveillance.
"Our investigations revealed that the syndicate members had been operating for about a month in the district and targeted local victims," he said.
Their modus operandi was to recruit syndicate members by enticing them with handsome commissions for all investors or bets placed by gamblers online.
Police also seized a Toyota Vios, seven sets of various-brand computers and 25 mobile phones.
The case is investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code, punishable with a maximum 10-year imprisonment term, and Section 4(1)(c) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, which carries both fine and imprisonment for up to three years upon conviction.