KUALA LUMPUR: Eighteen Chinese nationals were arrested by police yesterday for suspected involvement with an online cheating syndicate operating here.

Bukit Aman Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (JIPS) director Datuk Azri Ahmad said the suspects were believed to have been active for the past two months, targeting Chinese nationals in their scams which raked up profits of up to RM300,000 a month.

The suspects were picked up in several premises during joint raids conducted by Bukit Aman and Kuala Lumpur police under the Operasi Pelican, he said.

"As a result of the raids, police seized various equipment used for conducting their activities, including handphones, computers, electronic equipment and RM126,000 in cash," he said in a statement today.

Azri said JIPS would conduct further investigations if police personnel were found to be involved with the syndicate's activities.

"Investigations from the criminal aspect and Immigration Act will be undertaken by Kuala Lumpur police," he added.

-- BERNAMA