Duped by duo and RM1.6mil poorer

Desperate woman was trying to save loved ones from hangman’s noose

MUAR: A businesswoman, desperate to get her two family members to “escape” the hangman’s noose in a drug case, was duped of RM1.6mil in a scam here.

The victim, in her 40s, had sought the assistance of a woman – who acted as a middleman to broker the deal – after her loved ones were arrested in connection with a drug case in Selangor in July.

Sources said during the meeting, the woman asked for RM1.6mil to get the relatives out, as they faced the mandatory death penalty if convicted.

“The woman told the businesswoman that the money was needed to pay off certain people including the police and lawyers,” the sources said, adding that the desperate woman then handed over more than RM300,000 as a deposit during the meeting.

The businesswoman then made at least two other payments to the woman in Johor and Selangor bringing the total to about RM1.6mil since July.

The final payment was made at a hotel in Subang Jaya totalling more than RM700,000 in August.

“However the victim was shocked when her relatives were charged under Section 39B (Dangerous Drugs Act) in court.

“She tried to get her money back after the woman failed to deliver on her promise that the duo would be released,” said the source.

The middleman claimed the money had been paid to a lawyer.

“The victim was also allegedly threatened by a man claiming to be a lawyer,” the sources said.

He added the victim had lodged a police report about being duped by the duo.

Selangor police have since started investigating the case for cheating.

At press time it is still unclear if any arrests have been made with regards to the case.

Meanwhile in Kluang, police arrested 26 locals who were involved in various crimes and drug abuse cases during a four-day operation dubbed “Ops Sunrise” in Simpang Renggam.

Kluang OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Abduh Ismail said the suspects aged between 16 and 51 tested positive for drugs aside from having previous criminal records.

“The operation involved three officers and 17 police personnel from IPD Kluang. The aim was to search, capture and prosecute all suspects involved in crime within the Simpang Renggam area,” he said in a statement.

He added that the team had also managed to seize 11 motorcycles and one customised Allen key that was used to steal a motorcycle.

“Some of the suspects were also involved in house break-ins from last year to Sept 3 this year,” he added.