Police cripple suspected ‘scratchand-win’ syndicate, nab 10 persons
MIRI: Police smashed a suspected ‘scratch-and-win’ syndicate here with the arrest of 10 individuals, including two women, during ambushes at several locations in the city on Sunday.
Acting on a police report lodged by a victim who was allegedly lured into buying a slimming belt from the suspects, personnel from the district Commercial Crimes Investigation Department sprung into action and detained the suspects, aged between 19 and 33.
It was saidd that the suspects had approached the victim while he was shopping at a supermarket in Taman Tunku and asked him to participate in a scratch-and-win contest.
The victim was then told that he had won a slimming belt which, however, required him to make an additional payment. He then gave his credit card for the transaction.
On his way home, the victim received two text messages from his bank notifying of transactions made using his credit card amounting to RM3,899 and RM2,000.
Sensing that he had been cheated, the victim immediately lodged a police report.
Apart from the arrests, the police team led by Inspector Jagadhesan Arumugam also seized a van, 40 air purifiers, 135 slimming belts, 10 water filters, 630 neck massagers and 60 massager cushions.
Police are investigating the case under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
Meanwhile, district police chief ACP Lim Meng Seah confirmed the case when contacted yesterday, and advised members of the public to be extra cautious so as not to fall prey to such scams.