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Man nabbed for sale of non-existent property

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Land sale scam
Land sale scam

KUCHING: Police have arrested a man they believe is involved in three cases of fraudulent sales of a non-existent piece of land in Santubong.

Kuching deputy police chief, Supt Merbin Lisa said on Jan 8 this year, police received a report from a civil servant who was cheated by a man known as ‘Abang Ram’ who offered the victim to buy a piece of land purportedly in Santubong area.

The victim was asked to make a deposit payment of RM1,512 and was promised that the piece of land would be acquired without needing to submit any documents.

“The victim then made the payment to the suspect. However the victim has yet to obtain the promised land and the suspect had gone missing.

“Acting on information, a CCID team managed to arrest a 47-year-old man in Gita last Wednesday for allegedly being involved in the scam.

“Following the arrest made, two more police reports were received on the same day (Wednesday) involving the same suspect,” he said.

Merbin said two housewives, aged 37 and 50, lodged a police report after falling victim to fraudulent sale of a piece of land in Santubong.

The victims had handed over cash amounting to RM3,112 to the suspect as ‘deposit payment’ for the purported land.

He said background checks (on the suspect) found that he had a criminal record under Section 420 of the Penal Code which involved the same modus operandi in 2017.

“The suspect is currently under remand to facilitate further investigations under Section 420 of the Penal Code where if convicted, the suspect shall be sentenced to jail for a term not less than one year and not more than 10 years, whipping, and fined,” he said.

Merbin urged individuals who had fallen victim to similar scams to come forward and assist in the investigation.

He also reminded the public to be more careful with an offer to purchase properties which are far too cheaper than the market price and to ensure that the necessary documents were authentic in order not to be cheated.

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