Johor police arrested 17 locals in a raid on a homestay, crippling a Macau scam syndicate operating out of Bandar Penawar, near Kota Tinggi, yesterday (Feb 2).

State police chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said 15 men and two women, aged 22 to 33, were suspected of posing as Poslaju workers and enforcement officers to deceive their victims.

He said the 10.35am raid also led to the seizure of...