Malaysian arrested in Pakistan cases have drawn fresh attention after the Royal Malaysia Police confirmed that Pakistani authorities recently detained 130 Malaysians in Rawalpindi over alleged links to a cybercrime syndicate. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail said Kuala Lumpur is working with Pakistani counterparts through the Foreign Ministry to obtain a full account of every detention.
Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur, Mohd Khalid said the matter had been referred to the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department for further action. He added that an investigation team could be sent to Pakistan if needed so officers can secure a complete update on the probe.
What Malaysian police have confirmed
Mohd Khalid said police so far know that 130 Malaysians are in custody there. Some held valid visas, while others had overstayed. He said the Pakistani government is assisting so the investigation can proceed properly, and that commercial crime investigators will keep talking to authorities on the ground.
Asked about identities, he said a full list of profiles had not yet been obtained. He did confirm that those detained were Malaysian passport holders from various ethnic backgrounds. The Malaysian arrested in Pakistan group, he indicated, is still being clarified case by case rather than named in public.
The Rawalpindi raid and alleged scam
Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), the federal body that probes online offences, raided an online scam call centre at KASA Tower in Bahria Town Phase VIII, Rawalpindi. Investigators described a financial fraud operation aimed at victims in Malaysia, with syndicate members posing as bank customer-service staff and uniformed police to frighten people with claims they were tied to money laundering.
Pakistani authorities say scam proceeds were moved through e-wallets and then converted into cryptocurrency. The syndicate is believed to have been masterminded by a Malaysian operating from Cambodia, working with a Chinese national. All suspects are being examined under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016—the main federal law on online crime—and Penal Code provisions on extortion, impersonation, fraud and abetment.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Recently: Pakistani authorities detain 130 Malaysians in Rawalpindi over alleged cybercrime links.
- 30 October: Reports circulate of an NCCIA raid on an alleged scam call centre at KASA Tower, Bahria Town Phase VIII.
- 30 October (evening): Mohd Khalid addresses reporters in Kuala Lumpur on the detentions and next steps.
- 31 October: Malaysian police publicly confirm the figure of 130 Malaysians in custody and outline cooperation through the Foreign Ministry.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan ke Rawalpindi shehar mein 130 Malaysian log pakray gaye hain. Police ke mutabiq yeh log online scam aur cybercrime ke ilzamat se linked ho sakte hain. Kuch ke paas qanooni visa tha, kuch zyada der rukhe hue thay. Agar koi bank ya police se phone aaye aur daraaye, tou pehle khud verify karein—yeh scams aksar aise hi chalte hain.
