Sibu lawyer latest victim of pay-for-Datukship scam
Police confirm the 63-year-old paid RM604,000 in two transactions for the title only to find out later that no payment was required.
In a report by The Borneo Post, Federal police Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the 63-year-old lawyer was conferred the Panglima Jasa Negara award, that comes with the title Datuk, at the Istana Negara on June 4.
“The lawyer claimed he was approached by a 36-year-old woman, who introduced herself as the assistant to the Raja Permaisuri Agong at Istana Negara on Nov 11,” Acryl Sani told The Borneo Post.
He explained that this woman met with the lawyer on several occasions and instructed that he donate RM604,000 to a foundation associated with the Queen as a condition to obtain the Datukship.
Agreeing, the lawyer deposited the money in two separate transactions into the suspect’s personal bank account, only to find out later that no payment was required of him for the title.
Acting on this discovery, the lawyer immediately lodged a police report on September 7, that led to the arrest of eight individuals, aged between 30 and 40 this week in Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan, Selangor and Perak, the news portal reported.
“We hope to get the mastermind charged in court. We also hope members of the public will be wary when approached by anyone with proposals involving money transactions.
“Always check and double-check the authenticity of the person or agency they represent when being approached with such a proposal,” he advised the public, adding that the police believed it had crippled the syndicate with the arrest of the eight.
The suspects, who will be remanded from Sept 23 to Monday, are being probed for cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
Apart from nabbing the suspects, police also seized an MPV, RM1,139 in cash, jewellery and three handphones belonging to them.
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