IGP confirms 130 Malaysians held in Pakistan over cybercrime syndicate, investigators may be sent to Rawalpindi

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 — Police have confirmed that 130 Malaysians were recently detained by Pakistani authorities in Rawalpindi over their alleged involvement in a cybercrime syndicate.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail said police are working closely with Pakistani authorities through the Foreign Ministry to obtain full details of the detentions.

He said the matter has been referred to the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director for further action, and a team of investigators may be sent to Pakistan to monitor the progress of the investigation.

“Some of them (the Malaysians detained) have visas and some have expired.

“The Pakistani government is assisting us as best it can to ensure the investigation is carried out properly. The CCID will continue to communicate with the authorities there,” he told reporters at the Royal Malaysia Police Pensioners’ Association’s Jasamu Dikenang dinner here last night, Sinar Harian reported.

Asked about the identities of those detained, Mohd Khalid said the full profiles of the individuals have yet to be obtained, but they have been confirmed as Malaysian passport holders of various races.

Earlier, Pakistani news portal ProPakistani reported that Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) raided premises at KASA Tower in Bahria Town Phase VIII after obtaining a court warrant.

Checks on digital devices and equipment at the premises found the location was believed to have been used to defraud Malaysians.

The suspects allegedly contacted victims through internet calling applications while posing as bank customer service officers, claiming there were suspicious or unauthorised transactions in their accounts.

The calls were then transferred to others posing as Malaysian police officers, some of whom allegedly wore police uniforms and used office-like backgrounds during video calls to threaten victims with money laundering allegations, criminal cases and legal action before pressuring them into transferring money.

The proceeds were believed to have been received through Touch ‘n Go eWallet before being converted into cryptocurrency through several channels.

The syndicate was believed to have been run by a Malaysian operating from Cambodia, who allegedly directed operations with the help of call centre supervisors and managers in Pakistan, the report said. 

A Chinese national believed to have received cryptocurrency from the syndicate before converting it into Pakistani cash was also identified.

Acocrding to ProPakistani the case is being investigated under Sections 13, 14 and 16 of Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, amended in 2025, as well as Penal Code provisions on extortion, impersonation, fraud and abetment.

The total losses suffered by victims, the number of confirmed victims and the value of money seized in the operation have yet to be disclosed.