KUALA LUMPUR: More than a hundred Malaysians working as runners for scam syndicates have been arrested by Taiwanese authorities as of this August.

Michael Chong, head of public services and complaint bureau of Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), told Central News Agency of Taiwan that many Malaysians have been duped to work as runners for scam syndicates in Taiwan.

Information from Taiwan showed that a rising number of Malaysians have been arrested by Taiwanese authorities.

As both Taiwan and Malaysia do not have extradition agreements, Malaysians are to be sent to prisons in Taiwan once they are sentenced by the court.

Chong said Malaysians must remain alert not to fall prey to such syndicates in Taiwan.

Compared to other countries such as Cambodia and Myanmar, Taiwan is not a high-risk country, Chong said.

Central News Agency reported based on cases of Malaysians arrested in Taiwan that Malaysians entering Taiwan on social visit passes ended up being used by scam syndicates as runners.

Family members only discovered when they were contacted by the police while the syndicate approached the family for ransom of RM500,00 at the same time.

Most Chinese Malaysians speak Mandarin and do not have problem communicating in Taiwan.