Crime & Courts

Tourism scam ring crippled with arrest of 15

KUALA LUMPUR: Police crippled a tourism package scam syndicate with the arrest of 15 people in a raid on July 1.

Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the suspects were arrested at an office here.

"During the raid, 15 individuals, comprising 12 men and three women from India, were apprehended," he said.

"Preliminary investigations found that the syndicate is believed to have been operating since early this year under a company name.

"The company promoted travel packages and distributed flyers to foreigners. Interested victims were required to visit the company for further information."

He said three packages were offered: a RM50,000 package for 50 days of vacation, RM25,000 for 40 days, and RM14,000 for 14 days.

He said customers were offered vacation packages to anywhere in the world.

"Upon checks with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, it was revealed that the company did not have a licence to operate as a tourism company.

"Two police reports have been filed by victims scammed by this company, involving a total loss of RM14,000," he said at a weekly press conference here today.

Ramli said police also seized 17 mobile phones, a merchant payment device, a company stamp, four travel package brochures, a company file set, 10 travel package vouchers, 15 business cards, a laptop, a modem and various other items believed to be linked to the scam.

He said all 15 suspects arrested had been remanded under the Immigration Act 1959/63 until July 20.

The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code.

In another case, police took down a loan shark syndicate, arresting seven individuals, including three women, on July 2.

He said all suspects, aged 23 to 30, were arrested at a residence in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

"Preliminary investigations found that the syndicate is believed to have been operating for the past three months, targeting Malaysians.

"The syndicate advertised loans through Facebook and interested borrowers would contact them via WhatsApp."

Ramli said the loans offered ranged from RM500 to RM10,000, with interest rates of between 10 to 15 per cent weekly or monthly.

He said police seized four sets of computers, two laptops, a modem, a router, an access card and a notebook.

"The case is being investigated under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951."

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