KUALA LUMPUR: On July 1, police arrested 15 persons in a raid that severely damaged a network engaged in tourism package scams.
The suspects were taken into custody in an office here, according to Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, director of the Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department.
“During the raid, 15 individuals, comprising 12 men and three women from India, were apprehended,” he stated.
According to preliminary investigations, the syndicate is thought to have started using a firm name at the beginning of this year.
“The business gave out flyers to foreigners and advertised travel packages. Victims who were interested in learning more had to visit the company.”
Three vacation packages were available, he said: RM50,000 for 50 days, RM25,000 for 40 days, and RM14,000 for 14 days.
He added that vacation packages to any location in the world were available to customers.
“It was discovered that the company lacked a license to function as a tourism company after inquiries were made to the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
At a weekly press conference held here today, he stated, “Two police reports have been filed by victims scammed by this company, involving a total loss of RM14,000.”
In addition, 17 cell phones, a merchant payment device, a company stamp, four vacation package brochures, a corporate file set, ten travel package vouchers, fifteen business cards, a laptop, a modem, and other things thought to be connected to the scam were seized by the police, according to Ramli.
According to him, the Immigration Act 1959/63 had placed all 15 of the detained suspects on remand until July 20.
The Criminal Code’s Section 420 provides the basis for the investigation into this matter.
On July 2, authorities busted a gang of loan sharks and arrested seven people, three of whom were women.
All suspects, he added, were taken into custody at a home in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, ranging in age from 23 to 30.
“The syndicate is thought to have been active for the previous three months, targeting Malaysians, according to preliminary findings.
“The syndicate advertised loans through Facebook and interested borrowers would contact them via WhatsApp.”
According to Ramli, the available loans had interest rates of between 10 and 15 per cent per week or month and ranged in size from RM500 to RM10,000.
He reported that four sets of PCs, two laptops, a modem, a router, an access card, and a notebook were taken by the police.
“The case is being investigated under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951.”
