Pahang resort allegedly repurposed as 24-hour scam call centre

SUNGAI LEMBING, PAHANG, 6 OCTOBER 2026 —

Malaysian Police Smash 24-Hour Scam Call Centre Hidden in Abandoned Pahang Resort, Detaining 98 Foreign and Local Operators

The operation underscores the growing challenge of transnational cybercrime syndicates exploiting Malaysia’s remote locations to launch scams, with victims primarily targeted in their home countries. Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban described the syndicate’s modus operandi as highly mobile, operating in one country before relocating to avoid law enforcement crackdowns. The case also highlights the use of satellite internet and encrypted communications to bypass local surveillance, raising concerns over regulatory gaps in monitoring such activities.

The raid, conducted by Immigration’s Intelligence and Special Operations Division with support from Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, and Negri Sembilan officers, followed a month of intelligence gathering. Zakaria revealed that the syndicate—comprising 88 Chinese nationals, two Myanmar citizens, and one each from Indonesia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Russia—had transformed the abandoned resort into a fully operational fraud hub.

Detainees, aged between 20 and 75, were found living and working in shifts, with documents outlining strict performance metrics, including a minimum daily target of RM3,000 per operator. Those failing to meet targets three times faced deductions, while high performers received commissions, indicating a structured, profit-driven operation.

Among the seized materials were 100 mobile phones, 120 desktop computers, nine packets of unused SIM cards, and 11 Starlink terminals, which Zakaria confirmed were used to circumvent local telecommunications networks. "Starlink uses satellite internet, bypassing our usual telcos and connecting directly to satellites," he explained, noting that the resort lacked electricity and relied on generators for power.

Food supplies were brought in periodically, while CCTV cameras installed on trees along the entrance route suggested efforts to monitor and control access to the premises.

The three Malaysians detained—including the resort owner and two employees—were charged under Section 56(1)(d) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, while the foreigners faced charges under Sections 6(1)© and 15(1)© of the same act, as well as Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963. All detainees were transferred to the Immigration Office in Putrajaya for further legal proceedings.

Zakaria stated that the syndicate had likely been operating in Malaysia for around three months, exploiting the resort’s isolation to evade authorities. "They worked in shifts—if they were tired, they slept and then continued," he said, adding that operators may have had individual key performance indicators (KPIs) depending on their roles.

The operation sheds light on the broader issue of scam call centres in Malaysia, which have become a regional concern as syndicates increasingly target victims in China, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Zakaria noted that such groups typically operate from temporary bases, relocating frequently to avoid detection. The use of Starlink and other encrypted tools further complicates efforts to trace their activities, as these systems operate outside conventional telecom oversight.

Authorities have not yet disclosed whether the syndicate’s operations extended beyond the resort or if additional raids are planned.

The case follows a series of high-profile scam busts in Malaysia, including the recent shutdown of a "Kad Prihatin Siswa" investment scam that defrauded a doctor of RM300,000. While the Pahang operation focuses on cross-border fraud, it coincides with mounting concerns over Malaysia’s RM10.7 billion in PTPTN loan arrears as of August 31, reflecting the broader economic strain caused by financial scams and unemployment.

The Immigration Department’s crackdown signals a renewed focus on dismantling such networks, though challenges remain in tracking syndicates that leverage digital tools to operate beyond national jurisdiction.

As investigations proceed, authorities are expected to examine the syndicate’s financial networks and potential links to other fraud operations in the region. The use of Starlink and other advanced technologies in this case may prompt discussions on tightening regulations around satellite internet services to prevent their misuse in criminal activities.

For now, the Sungai Lembing raid stands as a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a transnational scam operation, exposing the lengths to which syndicates go to evade detection while exploiting Malaysia’s infrastructure.

Related: Immigration Office in Putrajaya · Datuk Zakaria Shaaban · Sungai Lembing, Pahang