Malaysian police have arrested five people after raiding a luxury house in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, suspected of being used as a call centre for an investment scam targeting Singaporeans, particularly older residents.
The syndicate allegedly lured victims with promises of investment returns ranging from 100 per cent to 300 per cent, according to reports published on Sunday (Oct 18). Senior citizens are believed to account for most of those targeted.
The five suspects, aged between 18 and 41, comprise three Malaysians and two foreign nationals — a Chinese woman and an Indonesian woman.
Initial investigations indicated that the suspects had been recruited through social media with offers of monthly salaries of about RM3,000 (approximately S$940) to work as customer relations officers. They allegedly contacted people in Singapore and promoted fraudulent investment opportunities.
During the raid, police seized electronic devices valued at more than RM100,000. Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects have been detained to assist authorities with their inquiries.
The case highlights continued concerns over cross-border scam operations that use seemingly legitimate investment opportunities to deceive victims into handing over money.
Johor Records More Than RM212 Million in Scam Losses
Between January and September 2026, Johor recorded 9,897 scam investigation papers involving losses totalling RM212.6 million, according to state police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad. This represented an average of approximately 37 scam reports a day.
The figures underscore the scale of scam-related crime in the state and the financial harm suffered by victims.
Daniel Khoo, chairman of the Malaysian Community Crime Care Pahang branch, called for tougher action against people involved in such syndicates. He argued that existing fines under the Passport Act were insufficient and urged authorities to deport foreign offenders and prevent them from re-entering Malaysia.
Authorities continue to investigate the alleged operation, while the arrests serve as a reminder for investors to exercise caution when approached with offers promising unusually high returns.
Members of the public should independently verify investment companies and financial advisers before transferring funds, and remain wary of unsolicited investment offers promoted through phone calls or social media.
