Malaysian citizens detained in Indonesia for suspected online scams

Indonesian authorities have detained 30 Malaysian citizens—22 men and eight women—along with one Taiwanese national in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on suspicion of involvement in online scam activities. Initial investigations suggest the group's targets were Malaysian citizens rather than Indonesians.

Malaysian Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will investigate whether the detainees are part of a larger organized syndicate. He noted that the close relationship between Malaysian and Indonesian police will facilitate information sharing during the investigation.

Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim, Secretary-General of the Humanitarian Organization of Malaysia (MHO), suggested that scam syndicates are shifting tactics following major crackdowns in Cambodia and Laos. He noted that instead of operating from large, centralized hubs, syndicates are now decentralizing their operations into smaller, harder-to-detect locations, such as individual condominiums, and moving to new regions including Indonesia.