Armando Monteiro, the Public Relation Commander of National Police said on Thursday that police have investigated several cases of alleged online crimes, leading to the arrests. He did not say when the arrests were made.

Authorities launched the online fraud operation after a tip off that loan company Fatuculu Margana Unipessoal Ltd, which contacts people via WhatsApp, was an illegal business.

Monteiro said the fraud loan business had snared several Timorese citizens including members of the national defence force F-FDTL who it had targeted.

It is possible that more people are involved in the fraud , with an investigation on-going, Monteiro said.