KUALA LUMPUR: Another five suspects have been arrested in Sabah in connection with the syndicate that withdrew RM24.2 million from several savings accounts.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said until June 18, a total of 13 suspects have been rounded up by police.
"This includes the alleged mastermind, a man in his 40s.
"The 13 suspects comprise eight men and five women. Three of these men and two women make up the most recent arrests," he said in a short statement on Wednesday.
He said 11 of the suspects have been remanded until June 21 while one suspect has been remanded until June 20.
"The remaining suspect has been released on police bail," he said.
Yesterday, Ramli said eight suspects have been remanded over the case.
He was quoted as saying that the latest three arrests were made on Monday.
Last Thursday, a bank employee was arrested on suspicion of being an insider and conspiring with the syndicate to withdraw RM24.2 million from depositors' savings accounts.
The department received four reports earlier this month concerning the losses.
The complainants, who are account holders and bank staff, reported multiple suspicious cash withdrawals in Kota Kinabalu involving several savings accounts with the bank.
The account holders denied any knowledge of the transactions and stated they had not made any withdrawals in Kota Kinabalu as claimed.
Investigations so far indicate involvement by syndicate members both inside and outside the bank, as these withdrawals could only have been conducted internally.