Sexual blackmail syndicate busted, victims tortured and forced to eat chillies

JOHOR BAHRU – Police have dismantled a criminal syndicate involved in sexual blackmail and online fraud following a series of raids across Kulai and Johor Bahru between June 20 and July 1.

Johor police chief Datuk M Kumar said that nine local comprising seven men and two women aged 17 to 59 were arrested in joint operations led by Johor's D7 Division alongside criminal investigation units from Kulai and South Johor Bahru districts.

Police rescued two teenage victims, a 15-year-old boy and 16-year-old girl, who had endured physical abuse, sexual exploitation and psychological torment at the hands of the syndicate.

“Initial investigations revealed that the syndicate began operating actively in Nov 2024, using a modus operandi that involved posing as attractive women through fake social media accounts to lure victims into performing sexually explicit video calls.

“At the same time, the syndicate would send phishing links to hack into the victims’ mobile phones, then use the recordings of the explicit calls to blackmail them, demanding money in stages.

“Overwhelmed by emotional distress and fear, the victims eventually transferred funds into the syndicate’s accounts as instructed,” he said during a press conference at the Johor Police Contingent Headquarters on Monday.

During the operation, police confiscated a range of items, including 27 mobile phones of various brands, identity documents, flight tickets, currency exchange receipts, and cash in multiple denominations, RM140, 1,822 yuan, and 4,370 baht.

Authorities also seized a laptop, 49 SIM cards, a modem, job record books and a vehicle.

Police investigations uncovered that the criminal network maintained active connections in both Laos and Thailand while systematically recruiting local workers, including minors to serve as scammers.

“The syndicate lured potential recruits with false promises of monthly salaries ranging between RM2,200 to RM4,000, while also offering deceptive overseas employment opportunities boasting earnings of up to USD$2,500 (approximately RM10,637).

“The two rescued teenage victims endured horrific abuse including physical beatings, forced nudity, sexual violence, and being compelled to eat chillies as punishment.

“The victims, both school dropouts, faced additional extortion attempts, with syndicate members demanding RM30,000 as a purported "release fee" to terminate their forced employment,” he said.

The case is being investigated under Sections 5, 10, and 15(f) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, as well as Sections 12 and 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.

The suspects also face charges under Section 324 of the Penal Code, Regulation 25(1)(o) of the National Registration Regulations 1990 (Amendment 2007), and Section 12(1)(f) of the Passport Act 1966.