Three Malaysian men have been arrested in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, after they were allegedly recruited as money mules for a scam syndicate last month.
Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) reported that the suspects, aged 18, 26 and 39, had entered Taiwan as tourists before being arrested separately by authorities.
Police from the Zuoying precinct reportedly detained the 18-year-old and 39-year-old suspects at different locations, including while they were allegedly withdrawing money from automated teller machines (ATMs) at post offices.
The 39-year-old was arrested in front of a post office ATM, with police seizing NT$155,000 (about RM19,660) in cash, two bank cards and a mobile phone from him.
Meanwhile, the 18-year-old suspect was also detained at a post office ATM and was found carrying NT$60,000 (around RM7,610) in cash, a bank card and a mobile phone.
The third suspect, aged 26, was arrested at Kaohsiung International Airport in mid-July following a joint operation involving Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency and Aviation Police Bureau.
Authorities reportedly seized NT$2,800 (approximately RM355) in cash and two mobile phones from the man.
The three Malaysians were among four foreign nationals arrested by Zuoying police in operations conducted between late June and July. The Ciaotou District Court subsequently ordered all the suspects to remain in custody while investigations continue.
According to police cited by CNA, scam syndicates have increasingly recruited foreigners to enter Taiwan as tourists before acting as money mules to withdraw funds on their behalf.
The suspects typically remain in Taiwan for about a week before leaving the country after completing the cash withdrawals. Authorities believe the short stays are intended to erase the syndicate’s trail and make it more difficult for investigators to identify those involved.
