KOTA KINABALU: Nov 6, 2026 — The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) Sabah has crippled an online scam syndicate with the arrest of 14 Chinese men in a raid on a three-storey bungalow in an affluent area on 4 October 2026 ago.
All the men, aged between 26 and 44, were detained under Ops Serkap at about 11 pm following a week of close intelligence gathering.
JIM Sabah deployed 49 enforcement officers from the Sabah State JIM Headquarters in the operation.
Inspections found that 13 of them were suspected of overstaying under Section 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. Another was suspected of not possessing a valid pass or permit under Section 6(1)(c) of the same Act.
The group is believed to have abused social visit passes before turning the luxury premises into their online scam operating centre.
JIM also seized various valuable items, including 14 laptops, 75 mobile phones, 13 chairs, six tables, one set of internet equipment, RM3,742 in cash and 560 Chinese Yuan.
All suspects are now being held at the Kota Kinabalu Immigration Depot for further investigation.
JIM Sabah stressed that it will not compromise and views seriously any violation of immigration laws, including pass abuse and overstaying.
The public is urged to channel information to the authorities if they detect suspicious activities. Such information can help JIM Sabah continue to combat crimes of this nature.
Source: Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) Sabah State
