20-11-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysian police have apprehended seven Japanese men suspected of orchestrating a phone scam targeting citizens in their home country. The raid took place in a condominium in Kuala Lumpur, resulting in the immediate arrest of the individuals, aged between 23 and 41. They now face charges for violating immigration law.
Acting on information provided by the Japanese Embassy, law enforcement officials raided a flat in the Malaysian capital, seizing phones and other items believed to be associated with the illicit activities. The suspects are accused of operating a phone scam that exploited the Skype call and messaging application to deceive Japanese nationals.
Head of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department, Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, revealed that the syndicate employed tactics such as impersonating banking staff. Victims were contacted through Skype, and the scammers falsely informed them of issues with their accounts, manipulating them into transferring funds to designated accounts.
The arrested suspects are currently in custody under immigration authorities, pending further investigations.
This incident adds to the growing concern over crime syndicates involving Japanese nationals in Southeast Asia. Earlier this month, 25 Japanese men were arrested in Phnom Penh for running a phone scam, subsequently being deported from Cambodia. In Thailand, two Japanese citizens were also apprehended for conducting similar scams in Bangkok.
The rise of phone scams has become a pressing issue in Japan, prompting local authorities to consider measures to protect citizens, particularly the elderly who are often targeted. Japan’s National Police Agency has proposed introducing new safeguards in the banking industry. The proposal suggests suspending the bank accounts of individuals over the age of 65 who haven’t accessed their accounts for more than a year.
While aimed at curbing scams, the proposal has raised concerns among older Japanese citizens, who fear restricted access to their bank accounts. The effectiveness of these measures will be closely monitored, with potential for additional restrictions if the initial safeguards prove insufficient in preventing scams.
