Penampang cops arrest two women over cheating cases

November 5, 2023

Penampang cops arrest two women over cheating cases

KOTA KINABALU: A real estate agent spent RM85,000 she received for a land purchase on herself instead of paying the money to the “landowner” in Penampang near here.

The 44-year-old suspect had earlier managed to convince a buyer to purchase a piece of land in the district, according to police.

“However, the said land never existed,” Penampang police chief Deputy Supt Sammy Newton said on Saturday (Nov 4).

He said the woman’s modus operandi was to deceive potential buyers by offering land for sale.

“The unknowing buyer handed her a cash deposit of RM85,000 which the woman took for her own use,” he added.

Another arrest involved a 31-year-old woman who was said to have scammed another woman in desperate need of cash.

DSP Newton said the victim met the suspect and was then introduced to her elder brother.

The brother then brought the victim to a moneylender, supposedly to help her with the loan process.

A few days later, the suspect called the victim, claiming that her brother had beaten up the moneylender and that the victim’s application was at risk of being rejected.

“She told the victim that she must pay RM7,200 for her brother’s bail and also to ensure her application would not be in jeopardy.

“The victim then deposited the sum in several transactions to the suspect’s account,” DSP Newton said.

He said both suspects have been remanded for further investigation under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

He also advised the public to be wary of scammers.