JOHOR BARU: A local businesswoman claimed she was cheated of RM3.5mil over the release of her daughter, who was detained under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (Atipsom) and the Security Offences (Special Measures) (Sosma) Act 2012.
Johor deputy police chief Deputy Comm M Kumar said the police received a report from the local woman on the case.
“The 67-year-old victim met a local man in March 2020 and he offered to help facilitate the release of her daughter who has been detained at Kajang Prison since 2019," he said in a statement Monday (June 26).
DCP Kumar said the suspect claimed he could get in touch with the investigating officer to release her daughter as soon as possible on the condition that the complainant gave him money to handle the matters.
“Believing the suspect’s words, the victim handed RM3.5mil in cash to the suspect in stages between March 2020 and June this year," he added.
DCP Kumar said the victim realised that she had been cheated as her 38-year-old daughter was still in prison despite payments being made to the suspect.
He said the suspect came up with excuses when asked when the victim’s daughter would be released, so the businesswoman lodged a police report after realising she had been cheated.
DCP Kumar said a 35-year-old suspect was detained at 12.35am on June 16 in Johor Baru to assist in investigations by the Johor police and Bukit Aman's Criminal Investigation Department.
The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
