(Bandar Seri Begawan, 31st) A foreign man suspected of being involved in a “Macau Scam” internet fraud syndicate was successfully arrested by the Royal Brunei Police Force on March 21, 2025.
This arrest operation was led by the Cyber Crime Investigation Unit under the Criminal Investigation Department, after lengthy intelligence gathering and investigative analysis.
Police stated that the suspect used methods of impersonating bank staff or law enforcement officers, deceiving victims via phone calls or text messages, claiming they were involved in credit card debt or money laundering activities, and inducing victims to make online transfers or personally hand over cash to unknown individuals.
To date, the Cyber Crime Investigation Unit has received and investigated more than 50 similar cases, with the total amount of losses exceeding BND 1 million. Such fraudulent activities have not only caused significant financial losses to victims but also negatively impacted social order.
The suspect was charged in the Magistrate's Court on May 17, 2025, facing nine criminal charges. The case is prosecuted by Deputy Prosecutors Emily Goh and Mohammad Syafi’e Mirhan, with charges filed under sections 420 (fraud) and 109 (abetment) of the Penal Code, and also invoking the Criminal Asset Recovery Order 2012 for money laundering offences.
Magistrate Noor Aleeyana found the suspect guilty and sentenced him to a maximum of seven years in prison.
As part of the follow-up action, the International Criminal Police Unit of the Royal Brunei Police Force is cooperating with law enforcement agencies of multiple countries to trace and extradite other suspects still at large. The Royal Brunei Police Force reiterated that dismantling and disrupting the entire fraud syndicate is the current priority mission.
Police remind the public not to easily trust any calls or messages asking for personal or bank information, especially those from unknown sources claiming to be from banks or law enforcement agencies. With scam tactics becoming increasingly complex and diverse, the public must remain vigilant.
If any suspicious activity is detected, the public is urged to immediately call the police hotline 993 or visit a nearby police station to report. The Royal Brunei Police Force is committed to continuing the fight against cybercrime, safeguarding national security and citizens' rights.
This arrest operation was led by the Cyber Crime Investigation Unit under the Criminal Investigation Department, after lengthy intelligence gathering and investigative analysis.
Police stated that the suspect used methods of impersonating bank staff or law enforcement officers, deceiving victims via phone calls or text messages, claiming they were involved in credit card debt or money laundering activities, and inducing victims to make online transfers or personally hand over cash to unknown individuals.
To date, the Cyber Crime Investigation Unit has received and investigated more than 50 similar cases, with the total amount of losses exceeding BND 1 million. Such fraudulent activities have not only caused significant financial losses to victims but also negatively impacted social order.
The suspect was charged in the Magistrate's Court on May 17, 2025, facing nine criminal charges. The case is prosecuted by Deputy Prosecutors Emily Goh and Mohammad Syafi’e Mirhan, with charges filed under sections 420 (fraud) and 109 (abetment) of the Penal Code, and also invoking the Criminal Asset Recovery Order 2012 for money laundering offences.
Magistrate Noor Aleeyana found the suspect guilty and sentenced him to a maximum of seven years in prison.
As part of the follow-up action, the International Criminal Police Unit of the Royal Brunei Police Force is cooperating with law enforcement agencies of multiple countries to trace and extradite other suspects still at large. The Royal Brunei Police Force reiterated that dismantling and disrupting the entire fraud syndicate is the current priority mission.
Police remind the public not to easily trust any calls or messages asking for personal or bank information, especially those from unknown sources claiming to be from banks or law enforcement agencies. With scam tactics becoming increasingly complex and diverse, the public must remain vigilant.
If any suspicious activity is detected, the public is urged to immediately call the police hotline 993 or visit a nearby police station to report. The Royal Brunei Police Force is committed to continuing the fight against cybercrime, safeguarding national security and citizens' rights.