130 Malaysians Detained in Rawalpindi Confirmed
Malaysia has confirmed that 130 Malaysians detained in Rawalpindi are Malaysian passport holders, and its police may send a team of investigators to Pakistan to follow the case. The confirmation is Kuala Lumpur’s first official word since Pakistan’s cybercrime agency raided a call centre in Bahria Town Phase VIII and registered a case against 130 people.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail gave the update at a dinner of the Royal Malaysia Police Pensioners’ Association in Kuala Lumpur on Friday night, as reported by Sinar Harian. He said Malaysian police are working closely with Pakistani authorities through the Foreign Ministry to obtain full details of the detentions.
Malaysia confirms 130 Malaysians detained in Rawalpindi
The Inspector-General said the matter has been referred to the director of the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department for further action. A team of investigators may be sent to Pakistan to monitor the progress of the investigation, he said.
He added that full profiles have not yet been obtained, although the detainees have been confirmed as Malaysian passport holders of various races. Some of them hold valid visas and some have expired visas, he said.
“The Pakistani government is assisting us as best it can to ensure the investigation is carried out properly. The CCID will continue to communicate with the authorities there,” Mohd Khalid said.
How the alleged scam worked
The case began with a raid by Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on premises at KASA Tower in Bahria Town Phase VIII, Rawalpindi. Feature Pakistan reported the raid and the case against 130 people when the first information report became public.
Checks on digital devices at the premises found the location was believed to have been used to defraud Malaysians. The suspects allegedly contacted victims through internet calling applications while posing as bank customer service officers. They claimed there were suspicious or unauthorised transactions in the victims’ accounts.
The calls were then transferred to others posing as Malaysian police officers. Some of them allegedly wore police uniforms and used office-like backgrounds during video calls. They threatened victims with money laundering allegations, criminal cases and legal action, and pressed them into transferring money.
The proceeds were believed to have gone through the Touch ‘n Go eWallet before conversion into cryptocurrency. The syndicate was believed to have been run by a Malaysian operating from Cambodia, who allegedly directed operations with the help of call centre supervisors and managers in Pakistan. A Chinese national believed to have received cryptocurrency from the syndicate before converting it into Pakistani cash was also identified.
The case is being investigated under Sections 13, 14 and 16 of Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, as amended in 2025, along with Penal Code provisions on extortion, impersonation, fraud and abetment. The total losses suffered by victims, the number of confirmed victims and the value of money seized in the operation have yet to be disclosed.
Why the visa detail matters
The visa mix described by the Malaysian police chief is the one new fact that changes the picture. Earlier reporting said the 130 people were residing in Pakistan without valid immigration status. The Inspector-General’s statement shows the position is mixed, with some visas valid and some expired.
What happens next
Frequently asked questions
Who confirmed the detentions in Malaysia?
Malaysia’s Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail, confirmed that 130 Malaysians were detained by Pakistani authorities in Rawalpindi over their alleged involvement in a cybercrime syndicate.
Where were the suspects detained?
They were detained after a raid by Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency on premises at KASA Tower in Bahria Town Phase VIII, Rawalpindi, carried out after a court warrant was obtained.
Will Malaysian investigators travel to Pakistan?
A team of investigators may be sent to Pakistan to monitor the progress of the investigation, according to the Inspector-General. No date for such a visit has been announced.
What are the suspects accused of?
They are accused of running a call centre scam that targeted Malaysians by impersonating bank staff and police officers and pressuring victims into transferring money, allegedly through an eWallet and then cryptocurrency. The allegations have not been tested in court.
