Police Bust Syndicate Selling Bogus Vehicle Registration Numbers
Background
Police have busted a syndicate selling bogus vehicle registration numbers with the arrest of four people in separate raids in Negeri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur, and Kedah.
Raid Operations
Acting Perak police chief Zulkafli Sariaat said the syndicate was believed to have amassed tens of thousands of ringgit by deceiving victims through advertisements for bogus car registration numbers on social media platforms. Three raids were conducted from January 10 to January 24, leading to the arrest of four suspects aged between 27 and 52 in Gemencheh, Negeri Sembilan; Setapak, Kuala Lumpur; and Langkawi, Kedah.
Seizures
Police also seized five mobile phones, seven bank cards, two computers, and two printing devices believed to have been used by the syndicate.
How the Scam Worked
The complainant, a 22-year-old man, had come across the syndicate’s advertisement on Facebook, offering RM2,000 for each registration number. He then transferred RM1,000 to a bank account as a deposit. After the deposit was made, his calls to the company were blocked, and he discovered that the registration number purchased was registered under another person’s name.
Checks and Investigations
Checks on the name of the company found that it was non-existent and not registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia. Investigations revealed that apart from Perak, the syndicate had also scammed several people in Selangor, Kedah, and Johor. Checks using the company’s name and bank account numbers revealed that eight other police reports had been filed against the syndicate, with losses amounting to RM71,400.
Arrests and Investigations
The four suspects have been remanded until Friday for further investigation and are being investigated for cheating.
Conclusion
The syndicate’s activities have caused significant financial losses to its victims, and it is essential to be cautious when dealing with such fraudulent schemes. It is crucial to verify the authenticity of such offers and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How did the syndicate operate?
The syndicate operated by advertising bogus car registration numbers on social media platforms and offering them for sale to victims. - How many people were arrested in the raids?
Four people were arrested in separate raids in Negeri Sembilan, Kuala Lumpur, and Kedah. - What was the total amount of losses caused by the syndicate?
The total amount of losses caused by the syndicate was RM71,400, according to police reports. - How many police reports were filed against the syndicate?
Eight police reports were filed against the syndicate, according to the police.