Round-the-clock breaking news from Malaysia.
Indonesia and Thailand have reaffirmed their commitment to ASEAN-led efforts to restore peace in Myanmar while significantly expanding bilateral defence and security cooperation, particularly in combating transnational crimes and online scam operations.
Myanmar security forces arrested 777 suspected online scammers in a raid on Myawaddy Township in Kayin State, including hundreds of foreign nationals. The operation seized computers, phones and a Starlink terminal.
Malaysian authorities have charged 159 Chinese nationals in connection with a large-scale fraud operation linked to Forest City, a major property development project in Johor. The suspects also face charges related to unlawful entry into the country.
Myanmar's military-controlled parliament has enacted legislation permitting capital punishment for those who coerce workers into cyber-fraud operations, reflecting intensifying regional efforts against sprawling transnational scam syndicates.
Thai police have raided a luxury hotel in Nonthaburi province, dismantling an alleged underground gambling and drug operation run by Chinese syndicates. More than 100 officers arrested five suspects and seized ketamine and gambling equipment.
Cambodia's PM Hun Manet has committed to escalating efforts against transnational scam operations, acknowledging that criminal networks are fragmenting into smaller cells to evade enforcement. Over 670 illegal operations have been shut down.
The FBI and Cambodia have committed to intensified cooperation against cybercriminal networks, as the UN warns that online fraud and drug trafficking cost East and Southeast Asia between US$88 billion and US$114 billion annually.
Cambodia has dismantled more than 200 online scam operations and deported tens of thousands of foreign suspects in recent months, yet authorities admit the border town of Poipet continues to harbour illegal fraud networks.
Ho Chi Minh City police have arrested 49 people, including four foreigners, for distributing electronic cigarettes laced with etomidate, a controlled anaesthetic. The busts uncovered 1,670 vape pods and significant quantities of ketamine and methamphetamine.
Police have documented 180 Malaysian citizens detained overseas for suspected drug mule activities since January 2024. Most were recruited through deceptive employment promises, highlighting a growing criminal exploitation trend affecting vulnerable Malaysians.
Ipoh police have detained 12 Chinese nationals following simultaneous raids on two call centres suspected of running an elaborate romance fraud scheme targeting victims in mainland China.
Perak police have arrested 18 Chinese nationals across two coordinated raids near Ipoh in a significant operation against an alleged online scam network, marking another blow against transnational cybercrime operations in Malaysia.
Malaysian police have dismantled a sophisticated investment fraud network, arresting 21 Chinese nationals in Melaka. The operation targeted victims through deceptive schemes offering non-existent returns, highlighting growing transnational cybercrime threats.
Thai police have issued an arrest warrant for a woman known as RoseRose, allegedly the organiser of a heroin-smuggling network that concealed drugs in elephant-print bags and recruited an air hostess to deliver contraband to Australia.
North Sumatra police arrested seven foreign nationals and 31 Indonesians in Medan for orchestrating an international online dating scam network. The syndicate used fake social media profiles to target Japanese men, extracting money before disappearing.
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A former kindergarten teacher has been charged with laundering RM133,550 connected to an alleged scheme relocating children to New Zealand. The accused pleaded not guilty to three counts in Shah Alam Sessions Court.
Thai police have arrested a husband-and-wife pair in Loei province as part of a widening investigation into an international drug smuggling network. The arrests follow the detention of a Thai Airways flight attendant in Melbourne over allegations of carrying heroin.
Thai narcotics authorities have intercepted 24.38 kilograms of heroin hidden in five parcels disguised as local handicrafts and clothing destined for Australia and Taiwan, arresting suspects linked to a transnational trafficking ring.
Indonesian police have arrested a Chinese national at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on an Interpol Beijing warrant for his alleged role in a sprawling international online scam network based in Cambodia.