Police have smashed another scratch-and-win syndicate with the arrest of five people including a woman in a raid at Kompleks Mutiara in Jalan Ipoh, yesterday.
The operation at about 1pm was conducted by a Bukit Aman police commercial crime division team led by Chief Inspector Mohamad Zaid Othman following a report lodged by a victim who lost RM4,000 after handing over the money to the syndicate.
“The victim was offered to win a luxury car on the condition that he paid RM4,000 and he paid the money on Monday, but was today asked to come up with the same amount. He became suspicious and lodged a police report,” he told reporters.
He said the syndicate members were aged between 23 and 30. “Also seized during the raid were several electrical items like ricecookers, water heaters, sewing machines and mattresses used as prizes, all valued at RM20,000,” Mohamad Zaid said.
He said further investigation revealed that the syndicate had been renting the office at the complex for the past two months, and the mastermind wasbelieved to be based in Kepong with a wide network in the Klang Valley.
“We believe the syndicate had been operating since last year and was always on the move to avoid detection by the authorities,” he said.
Mohamad Zaid said the syndicate members targeted crowded areas like shopping complexes to carry out their scam.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of Penal Code for cheating.
– Bernama
CJMY
C. Khor
