Bogus housing project syndicate busted

Cops raid several locations after victim lodges report against company

A syndicate that conned people into putting downpayments for non-existent housing developments in Sg Tua has been busted.

The syndicate even registered a company and showed scale models of the houses for sale to entice victims.

Sentul OCPD Asst Comm R. Munusamy said police were alerted after one of the victims lodged a report on April 18.

“A woman claimed she saw an advertisement online and went to an exhibition room at Jalan Segambut two days ago where she was offered a unit for RM120,000.

“The agents claimed she only needed to pay a booking fee of RM5,000, which she did,” he told reporters at the Sentul police headquarters.

He said the victim, sensing something amiss, went to the Selayang Municipal Council town planning department to check on the validity of the housing development and was told there was no such project.

“Following the report, we raided several locations and arrested three men and a woman aged between 31 and 51.

“One of the suspects was previously involved in another scam involving non-existent vehicles,” he said, adding that police were tracking down two other suspects.

He said 16 reports had been lodged in connection with the case involving losses amounting to RM80,000.

ACP Munusamy said a check on the land showed it belonged to four different owners and was allocated for farming.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated case, police arrested eight suspects over the armed robbery of a sports utility vehicle.

ACP Munusamy said the incident occurred around 7am on Sunday.

A woman parked the car in front of her restaurant and was alighting from it when a motorcycle approached.

“The pillion rider got off and pointed a weapon resembling a pistol at her, demanded her car keys and drove it away,” he said.

Police raided two hotels in the city and arrested six men and two women in their 30s.

The vehicle, a motorcycle, and an air-pistol were seized by police.

“The eight suspects have been remanded to assist in investigations,” he said.