Malaysian authorities have detained 98 people after allegedly uncovering an international scam call centre operating around the clock from a shuttered resort in Sungai Lembing, Pahang.
The Malaysian Immigration Department raided the secluded premises on Monday (Oct 5) following about a month of intelligence gathering. Those detained included 95 foreigners and three Malaysians, according to Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban.
The alleged operation had reportedly been running from the resort for about three months, with the syndicate using generators, Starlink satellite internet, CCTV cameras and local lookouts to keep the operation largely off the conventional telecommunications grid.
Resort Rented for RM30,000 a Month
The resort, located along Jalan Sungai Arang in Sungai Lembing, had stopped operating in 2025.
Immigration authorities said the property was rented to the syndicate for about RM30,000 (S$9,400) a month from June 10, 2026. Investigators believe the premises was deliberately chosen because of its isolated location, making it more difficult for authorities to detect the activity.
The operation was allegedly conducted in shifts so that the call centre could function 24 hours a day.
Documents seized at the location reportedly indicated that workers were given individual targets and could receive commissions for meeting them, while deductions could be imposed for repeated failure to meet quotas.
95 Foreigners Among Those Detained
Of the 98 people detained, 95 were foreigners.
Immigration said they included:
- 84 Chinese men and four Chinese women
- One Myanmar man and one Myanmar woman
- One woman each from Indonesia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia and Russia
The three Malaysians detained included a man believed to be the resort’s owner and two people believed to have worked at the premises.
The detainees were aged between 20 and 75.
Authorities have not said that every person detained was necessarily a scam operator. The individuals are being investigated for suspected immigration offences, and the allegations remain subject to investigation.
Starlink Used to Stay Off the Grid
One of the most notable features of the alleged operation was its use of satellite internet.
Immigration officers seized 11 sets of Starlink equipment, along with 120 computers and 100 mobile phones. The resort reportedly had no regular electricity supply, forcing those inside to rely on generators.
CCTV cameras were also reportedly installed in trees around the premises.
Zakaria said the use of Starlink meant the syndicate did not have to depend on conventional local telecommunications networks, which authorities believe was part of its effort to avoid detection.
Local lookouts were allegedly positioned to monitor movement around the resort and alert those inside to possible approaches by outsiders or enforcement officers.
Syndicate Allegedly Moved Between Countries
Investigators believe the group was part of a wider international operation that had previously worked in other countries.
Passport records reportedly indicated that some of those involved had previously operated in Cambodia and Vietnam. Authorities believe the syndicate moved from country to country after operating for a period of time in each location to reduce the chances of being detected.
The alleged cross-border nature of the operation has raised additional questions about how the group recruited workers, organised its operations and targeted victims from outside Malaysia.
Authorities said the call centre was believed to target people in the syndicate’s own country, although the investigation is continuing to establish the full scope of the alleged scam operation.
Passports and Equipment Seized
In addition to the computers and mobile phones, Immigration officers seized a large collection of travel documents.
These included 49 Chinese passports, as well as passports from Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Russia. An Indonesian travel document issued in lieu of a passport was also found.
Officers also seized:
- 11 sets of Starlink equipment
- 120 computers
- 100 mobile phones
- Nine packs of unused SIM cards
- A CCTV system
- RM5,000 in cash
The equipment is expected to form part of the investigation into how the alleged call centre operated and communicated with people outside Malaysia.
Immigration Offences Under Investigation
Authorities said the detainees were being investigated under several provisions of Malaysia’s Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963.
A group of 46 foreigners was detained over suspected offences under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act, while another 45 were detained under Section 15(1)(c). Two others are being investigated under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations. The three Malaysian suspects were detained over suspected offences under Section 56(1)(d).
The exact offences and any eventual charges will depend on the outcome of the authorities’ investigation.
Authorities Step Up Action Against Scam Networks
The raid highlights the increasingly international nature of scam operations, in which groups can establish temporary bases in remote locations and use technology that allows them to operate with less reliance on local infrastructure.
In this case, authorities said the syndicate had combined an isolated location with generators, satellite internet, surveillance cameras and local lookouts.
Immigration’s month-long intelligence operation eventually led officers to the resort, where the alleged call centre was discovered.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the syndicate’s organisational structure, its activities in Malaysia and other countries, and the extent of any victims targeted through the operation.
