OPS DRAGON: MACC NABS 16 CHINESE NATIONALS, SEIZES RM3.5 MLN IN ASSETS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- Sixteen Chinese nationals who acted as ring leaders of an international fraud syndicate were arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in a series of operations under Ops Dragon conducted between October and December last year.

MACC Special Operations Division senior director Datuk Mohamad Zamri Zainul Abidin said all the individuals, who had been hiding in Malaysia, were the main suspects in the activities and were wanted by the Chinese authorities.

“All the suspects have been sent back for trial, and the repatriation was carried out in cooperation with the Chinese Embassy and the Malaysian Immigration Department, in accordance with all legal and diplomatic procedures,” he said in a statement here today.

He said the arrests were the result of an integrated operation with Chinese authorities targeting a cross-border syndicate network believed to be operating in several countries, including Malaysia, using various communication platforms and technologies to deceive victims.

Following the arrests, the MACC also seized various assets estimated to be worth RM3.5 million linked to the syndicate’s crimes and believed to have been obtained through illegal activities.

“Among the items seized were two luxury cars, jewellery, gold bars, personal computers, laptops, cash in various foreign currencies, as well as hundreds of mobile phones of various brands believed to have been used as the main tools in the activities,” he said.

He said the forfeiture process for the assets is being actively carried out in accordance with legal provisions before they are returned to the Malaysian government.

“The success of this operation proves MACC’s continued commitment to strengthening strategic cooperation with international enforcement agencies in combating financial crimes and cross-border fraud activities that could affect economic security and national interests.

“MACC emphasises that any form of abuse of the financial system, corruption and fraudulent activities will continue to be tackled through enforcement action and close cooperation with enforcement partners at the international level,” he said.

-- BERNAMA