3 Nigerian Students Busted For Running Online 'love Scam' In Malaysia
Police have detained a local woman and three Nigerian students for their alleged involvement in an online 'love scam' yesterday.
The four were picked up by Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Division officers in two separate raids in Taman Mutiara, Puchong and Seroja Apartment, Jalan Putra Perdana here between 5.50pm and 8.30pm.
Commercial Crimes, Operations and Intelligence deputy director SAC Roslan Abd Wahid said the 48-year-old woman said she had been involved in the syndicate for a year after she experienced financial difficulties.
"Further investigations led us to three Nigerian students aged between 23 and 27 at their rented apartment. The trio were studying at a private college in Selangor."
A 'love scam' usually involves the suspects posing as a romantic interest to lonely individuals, who are approached via social media.
After gaining their victims' trust, the victims would then ask for money, usually in ever-increasing amounts until they eventually flee with their ill-gotten gains.
Roslan said the Nigerian students were responsible for conducting the online chats with the unsuspecting victims while the woman served as a 'consultant.'
For her efforts, she was paid a commission of between 10 to 15 per cent from the syndicate, based on the amount they managed to fleece from their victims.
Roslan said they were still on the hunt for the syndicate's mastermind who is in the country. He also urged those who had been scammed by the syndicate to step forward and assist the investigation.
"Following the arrest, police have solved 11 cases, with losses amounting to RM616,000," he said adding that the case has been classified as cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar congratulated the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Division after its team managed to arrest three Nigerians and a woman involved in the 'love scam.'
"Congrats again JSJK @PDRMsia Bukit Aman, nabbed 3 Nigerian and one Chinese woman, involved in Love Scam group. 11 cases were completed, with losses of RM500,000 #GoPDRMGo," he said via his Twitter account.
