Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said a collaboration between the Malaysian Commercial Crimes Investigation (JSJK) Department with the Commercial Affairs Department from the Singapore Police Force to curb activities of the African scam syndicate, resulted in the arrest of 24 suspects in January last year.

“Their arrest through the operation code-named ‘Op Tiong Global’ launched through the collaboration in January last year, has managed to resolve 54 cases reported in the country, and four cases in Singapore.”

He said this during a press conference held in conjunction with the Bukit Aman monthly assembly organised by the JSJK here yesterday.

He said the JSJK had also held a series of raids in collaboration with the police from the People’s Republic of China in the fight against the Macau scam syndicate, which had set up call centres in Malaysia to deceive victims in China.

“A total of 72 Chinese nationals were arrested during the raid conducted last December,” he said.

Fuzi said police also cooperated with their counterparts from other Asian countries to curb commercial and cyber crimes and ensure that its personnel were well-prepared to address the issue.

“We are also planning to increase the number of personnel in the cyber crime division,” he said.

He said 1,705 suspects were arrested in the African scam fraud case through 1,243 raids under Op Tiong last year.

“For fraud cases involving the Macau scam, enforcement action has been taken through ‘Op Pelican’ and a total of 417 raids and operations have been launched since.

“Through the raids, 1,239 people have been arrested,” he said.

He said the JSJK was aiming for the charge rate to increase to 40% this year, from the 30% targeted last year.

Fuzi said the JSJK had arrested 25 people involved with finance and investment scams so far this year.

“Three of the suspects were charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code on Jan 12,” he said.