Suspicious individuals: Comm Ramli showing the suspects from the raids on three call centres during a press conference at CCID headquaters in Kuala Lumpur. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Property owners can no longer collect a big, fat deposit and rent in advance, and then sit back and enjoy the money without bothering about their property.
They will now be held responsible for any crime committed at their premises, say police.
Joint management bodies (JMB) of high rise residences and security companies can also be charged in court should they fail to report any suspicious or criminal activity at property under their care.
“These people can no longer claim ignorance when crimes occur at these premises,” Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said.
“Some security companies, owners and JMBs know about criminal activities including the existence of scam call centres. But they feign ignorance.
“It is quite alarming that scam syndicates now prefer to set up call centres at condominium units, especially the luxury ones,” he told a press conference at CCID headquarters yesterday.
Comm Ramli said investigations into call centres will no longer be focused solely on criminals but also the owners, JMB and security companies.
“We will propose that all three parties be charged under Section 120(B) of the Penal Code for criminal conspiracy.”
Scam syndicates often pay rent for up to a year in advance or even buy residential units in cash, he said.
“Owners are just happy to get such a big payment, but they must also be responsible for all activity at their premises or buildings,” he said.
He was commenting on the matter following recent raids at three condominiums here which had been used as scam calls centres.
“I urge all parties, especially owners of premises, to conduct KYC (know your customer) before allowing anyone to rent or buy such premises.
“It is their owners’ responsibility to ensure no criminal activity occurs at these premises,” he said.
On the raids, Comm Ramli said 11 Chinese nationals were detained at the three condominiums along Jalan Tun Razak on Feb 26.
“In the first case, three men and a woman were detained while various items, including laptops and mobile phones, were seized.
“The syndicate had a lucky draw scheme targeting Chinese nationals and using QR codes. They had been operating for about two months,” he said.
In the second raid, two men aged 31 and 40 were detained for running a scam targeting online gamers, Comm Ramli said.
“They targeted victims from China and Singapore and used Telegram to advertise their bogus online games.
“Victims had to make payments in US dollars before they could register. However, they could not access the games after payments were made,” he said.
In the third raid, five men aged between 33 and 35 were held.
One of them was the supervisor while the four others were customer service officers.
Investigations showed the syndicate was running an investment scam, targeting Chinese nationals using the “mycaifuhao.eastmoney.com” platform, he said.
Bukit Aman to hold owners, JMBs, and security firms accountable for scam centres
KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman is taking a firm stance against scam call centres by pushing for property owners, joint management bodies (JMBs), and security companies to be held liable if such activities are found on their premises.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Comm Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said these entities could no longer claim ignorance if illegal activities take place in their rented buildings or units.
“We received intelligence that some security companies, owners, and JMBs were aware of criminal or suspicious activities happening on their premises,” he told a press conference at CCID headquarters on Wednesday (March 5).
He said it was alarming that scam syndicates often chose luxury condominium units as their operational bases.
Investigations will no longer focus solely on the scammers themselves but also on the property owners, JMBs, and security companies that allow such illegal activities to take place.
“We will not hesitate to propose charges against these entities under Section 120(B) of the Penal Code for criminal conspiracy,” he said, adding that prosecution could be based on statements recorded during investigations.
His comments followed three recent raids on condominium units in Kuala Lumpur that were being used as scam call centres.
Ramli urged property owners to conduct proper background checks before renting out their units to avoid being implicated.
"I urge all parties, especially owners of premises, to conduct KYC (know your customer) before allowing anyone to rent or use such premises.
“Excuses such as not realising criminal activity was happening will no longer be accepted. As owners, it is their responsibility to ensure no such activities occur,” he said.
He added that scam syndicates often paid lump sums for up to a year’s rent or even bought residential units in cash, making it even more crucial for owners to verify the nature of their tenants’ activities.
“Owners might be happy receiving such large payments, but they must also ensure they know what their premises are being used for,” he said.
On February 26, police conducted raids on three condominiums along Jalan Tun Razak and detained 11 Chinese nationals suspected of operating scam call centres.
In the first raid, three men and a woman from China were arrested for running a lucky draw scam targeting Chinese nationals. Police seized four laptops and six mobile phones. The syndicate had been operating for about two months.
In the second raid, two Chinese men aged 31 and 40 were detained for operating a scam targeting online gamers from China and Singapore. The suspects used Telegram to promote bogus online games, requiring victims to make payments in US dollars before registering. However, victims were unable to access the games even after making payments.
The third raid saw five Chinese men, aged between 33 and 35, arrested for running an investment scam. One of them was identified as the supervisor, while the other four acted as customer service officers. Police seized four computers, six mobile phones, and a laptop.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate had been operating from the condominium for a year, using the “mycaifuhao.eastmoney.com” platform to lure victims. Those interested were given a link and ID through the Mosgram application and joined a live investment class.
Ramli said the case is being investigated under Section 420/120(B) of the Penal Code and the Immigration Act.
With scam call centres becoming increasingly sophisticated, authorities are stepping up efforts to ensure that those facilitating these illegal operations—whether intentionally or through negligence—are held accountable.
