SOCIAL media has become a breeding ground for romance scams, with fraudsters creating fake identities to prey on unsuspecting victims seeking love online.
Reports have emerged of an organised syndicate operating in Semenyih that specifically targeted Japanese nationals through fabricated profiles and elaborate deception tactics.
Was a love scam syndicate targeting Japanese nationals operating in Semenyih?
Verdict:
TRUE
A ‘Love Scam’ syndicate targeting Japanese nationals was exposed in a raid on a residential unit in Semenyih, Kajang, recently.
The syndicate, consisting of foreign nationals, operated on social media using fake identities and accounts and had been searching for victims for the past three months.
According to a report in Sinar Harian, they pretended to be officials of organisations or influential individuals to convince victims from the Land of the Rising Sun to enter into romantic relationships before deceiving them into handing over money.
Selangor Police Chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said the syndicate operated in an organised manner by focusing on victims in Japan through social media platforms.
“Each syndicate member was instructed to create fake accounts with fabricated photos and backgrounds, as well as make daily posts to make the accounts appear active and convincing,” he said at a press conference at Selangor Police Contingent Headquarters on Tuesday (Nov 11).
“After successfully attracting attention, they began approaching victims with personal messages to obtain phone numbers and other social media accounts,” he added.
He explained that the syndicate was highly organised and divided tasks, with some members required to interact with victims whilst others managed financial matters including receiving and distributing the proceeds of the fraud.
“This syndicate also uses several social media applications as internal communication mediums to avoid detection by authorities,” he said.
“After successfully building trust, syndicate members will use various tricks including appealing for sympathy or creating emergency situations to trick victims into transferring money into certain accounts,” he added.
As a result, a raid was carried out by the Kajang District Police Headquarters Commercial Crime Investigation Division with the assistance of social media analysis experts from Klang Selatan District Police Headquarters on Nov 5.
“A total of 13 non-citizen individuals consisting of 11 men and two women were arrested. In addition, various equipment was seized involving 11 laptops and 11 mobile phones of various types used in the syndicate’s operations,” he said.
All suspects are still being remanded to assist further investigations under Section 420/120B of the Penal Code.
The public is advised to always be vigilant with individuals known virtually and not to be easily deceived by promises of love or requests for financial assistance from internet acquaintances.
Shazeli added that the public is also reminded not to share personal information, photos or bank account details with unknown individuals.
He also asked anyone with information regarding the activities of the Love Scam calling centre syndicate to contact the Kajang District Police Headquarters Hotline at 03-8911 4242 or Investigating Officer Inspector Mohd Alif Ashraf Mohd Sohor to assist in investigations.
References:
1. https://www.sinarharian.com.
