Cops: Illegal donation-collecting syndicate busted, 55 detained

 

The police busted a syndicate and detained 55 individuals involved in collecting donations online illegally, after raiding premises in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Allaudeen Abdul Majid said the syndicate members comprising 34 men and 21 women, who were all locals, were aged between 18 and 42.

He said the syndicate, believed to have been active for the past five years, has been operating by using three welfare associations to cover their activities.

The syndicate used the names of the three associations when contacting prospective donors by putting up advertisements for donations on Facebook, he said.

“Money collected from unsuspecting victims, be it individuals or companies, will then be banked into seven accounts that belong to the associations.

“The amount collected through such illegal avenues is being investigated by police.

“Police are currently investigating if the three associations are aware of such activities or whether the associations are involved with the syndicate.

“Therefore police will call up the three associations for investigations,” Allaudeen told reporters at the Sentul police headquarters.

The police also seized 58 computers, 126 handphones, 108 receipt books, two routers, and two script recording gadgets which were allegedly used to record conversations between the caller and victims.

Initial investigations revealed the syndicate members received between 10 and 20 percent commission from the sum collected if the target was reached.

Allaudeen said 50 of the suspects detained would be remanded until tomorrow while five others will be remanded until Sunday to assist with investigations.

- Bernama