A 71-year-old man is among 18 individuals detained for their roles in a fraud syndicate that used the Prime Minister's Office's name to scam Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The syndicate, believed to be operating under the guise of the Prime Minister's Department, has caused losses exceeding RM1 million to the victims.
The group was caught during a raid conducted by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the National Anti-Financial Crime Center (NFCC).
"Following the raids, 18 individuals, consisting of 12 men and 6 local women aged between 30 and 71, were detained," says Director of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) of Bukit Aman, Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf.
Investigation revealed the syndicate used WhatsApp and face-to-face meetings to communicate with victims, promising high returns on investments. Victims deposited money into dummy accounts but did not receive any promised profits.
Ramli stated that seizures were made under various sections of the AMLATFPUAA 2001, including 15 bank accounts totalling RM69,796.91, a Toyota Hilux valued at RM75,000 and freezing actions against 38 banks accounts totalling RM108,131.93
He clarified 15 police reports have been received so far, with a total loss amounting to RM2,979,788.
"All individuals detained are being remanded until June 10th, 11th, and 12th 2024 respectively, and further investigations under Section 420 of the Penal Code are ongoing," he said.
