National
'Resort' Facade Hid Scam Call Centre in Abandoned Kuantan Hotel
PHNOM PENH — Oct. 7, 2026: Malaysian authorities have dismantled a scam operation hidden behind the facade of a "resort" near Kuantan, raiding an abandoned hotel building that had been converted into a call centre.
The Oct. 5 raid in Sungai Lembing followed nearly a month of surveillance. Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said 98 people were arrested, including 95 foreigners — among them 84 Chinese nationals and a Russian woman — plus three Malaysians.
Zakaria said the group had operated for about three months and appeared to move between countries. Despite its outward appearance, the site ran off-grid using generators and Starlink internet, with a designated cook preparing meals. Rent reached about RM30,000 a month.
Seized contracts indicated workers were paid about RM3,000 monthly, with commissions for meeting targets and penalties for missing quotas. Authorities also seized 49 Chinese passports and one Cambodian passport. Some suspects had overstayed, while others entered without documents.
Source: The Star
Reported by The Khmer Today
