Sibu lawyer duped of more than RM600k to obtain Datukship
ZAHRATULHAYAT MAT ARIFSeptember 23, 2016
NST
KUALA LUMPUR: Police believe they have crippled a syndicate selling fake Datukships following the arrest of eight people this week.
The suspects, aged between 30 and 40, were picked up by police at several locations in KL, Kelantan, Selangor and Perak.
Federal police Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said police also seized several items belonging to the suspects including an MPV, RM1,139 in cash, jewellery and three smartphones.
He said the case came to light following a report lodged by a 63-year-old lawyer in Sibu, Sarawak on Sept 7.
According to the lawyer, who is a victim of the scam, he was approached by a 36-year-old woman, who claimed she was the assistant to the Raja Permaisuri Agong at Istana Negara here, on Nov 11.
"Since then, the victim and the woman, who is the main suspect in the case, had met on several occasions.
"The lawyer was asked to donate RM604,000 to a foundation associated with the Queen as a condition to obtain the Datukship," he said.
Agreeing to the condition, the lawyer was told to deposit the money into the suspect's personal bank account. This was done via two transactions.
"On June 4 this year, the lawyer was conferred the Panglima Jasa Negara award (which carries the title Datuk) at the Istana Negara.
"It was then that the lawyer discovered that there was no payment required in order for him to receive the Datukship, compelling him to lodge a police report," he said.
Acryl said all suspects have been remanded from today until next Monday over the case, which is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
KUALA LUMPUR: Police believe they have crippled a syndicate selling fake Datukships following the arrest of eight people this week.
The suspects, aged between 30 and 40, were picked up by police at several locations in KL, Kelantan, Selangor and Perak.
Federal police Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said police also seized several items belonging to the suspects including an MPV, RM1,139 in cash, jewellery and three smartphones.
He said the case came to light following a report lodged by a 63-year-old lawyer in Sibu, Sarawak on Sept 7.
According to the lawyer, who is a victim of the scam, he was approached by a 36-year-old woman, who claimed she was the assistant to the Raja Permaisuri Agong at Istana Negara here, on Nov 11.
"Since then, the victim and the woman, who is the main suspect in the case, had met on several occasions.
"The lawyer was asked to donate RM604,000 to a foundation associated with the Queen as a condition to obtain the Datukship," he said.
Agreeing to the condition, the lawyer was told to deposit the money into the suspect's personal bank account. This was done via two transactions.
"On June 4 this year, the lawyer was conferred the Panglima Jasa Negara award (which carries the title Datuk) at the Istana Negara.
"It was then that the lawyer discovered that there was no payment required in order for him to receive the Datukship, compelling him to lodge a police report," he said.
Acryl said all suspects have been remanded from today until next Monday over the case, which is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
