7 held in RM300k scratch-and-win cheating scam

Police now looking for main suspect believed to have fled with RM31,000 from vegetable seller.

IPOH: A pregnant woman was among seven people detained in a scratch-and-win cheating scam, involving losses amounting to more than RM300,000 reported in the city since last year.

Perak Commercial Criminal Investigation Department head Supt Lee Ewe Kiang said the 22-year-old woman, who is seven months’ pregnant, was detained last Wednesday, together with a Vietnamese woman and five men, who are in their 20s and 30s, at the Prima Kondominium Bercham.

“The Vietnamese woman and two of the men were detained while they were in a Proton Wira in the condominium compound, while the other four individuals, including the pregnant woman, were detained in a unit at the condominium.

“During the arrest, police also seized various items, including jewellery, handbags, handphones, watches and cash,” he told a media conference here today.

He said the suspects would be in remand for four days to facilitate investigations.

They were believed to be involved in five of the cheating cases reported in the city, involving losses of RM307,450, he said, adding that the latest victim was a vegetable seller, who lost RM31,000.

“Police are looking for a man, believed to be the main suspect. He is also believed to have fled with the vegetable seller’s money.”

On the seven arrested, Lee said all had previous records involving similar cheating cases. -FMT