By: Nurul Fazliana Norman
KUANTAN: Oct 9, 2026 – The Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) detained 98 individuals, including 95 foreigners, in a raid on a resort used as the operating location of a “call centre” syndicate at Jalan Sungai Arang, Sungai Lembing, here, on Oct 5.
The special operation, which began at about 12.50pm, was carried out following a month-long intelligence gathering by the Intelligence and Special Operations Division of the Putrajaya Immigration Headquarters, in cooperation with the Pahang, Kuala Lumpur and Negeri Sembilan immigration departments.
Of the total, 89 foreigners were Chinese nationals, followed by Myanmar (two), Indonesia (two), Hong Kong (one), Vietnam (one), Cambodia (one) and Russia (one).
Three locals, comprising the owner and workers at the resort, were also detained. Several foreigners and locals tried to hide and flee but were detected and detained.
JIM also seized 49 Chinese passports, one passport each from Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Russia, and one Indonesian Travel Document in Lieu of Passport (SPLP).
Also seized were 100 mobile phones, 120 desktop computer sets, one closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, nine packets of unused SIM cards, RM5,000 in cash and 11 sets of Starlink equipment believed to have been used as internet lines.
According to JIM, the syndicate used a resort that had been closed to conceal its activities from the authorities and was believed to have moved from one country to another.
The syndicate operated 24 hours in shifts and had been carrying out the activities for the past three months.
All those detained were aged between 20 and 75 and were brought to the Putrajaya Immigration Office for further action.
Some of the foreigners were detained for offences under Section 6(1)(c) and Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963.
Meanwhile, the three locals were detained for an offence under Section 56(1)(d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
JIM stressed its commitment to continue enforcement continuously and firmly to curb activities that violate national laws.
Source: Immigration Department of Malaysia
