KUCHING: Macau, love and parcel scams resulted in over RM4.5 million in losses in Padawan last year, with the district police headquarters (IPD) having received 231 reports on such cheating cases and arrested 36 people.
Padawan district police deputy chief, DSP Merbin Lisa said the modus operandi of the suspects, involved firstly, making offers through WhatsApp and Facebook, of cash or profit from investment and then asking the victims to make cash payments or via online before absconding.
“Most of the victims are women aged between 20 and 65 years, and the cases are being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating,” he told a news conference in conjunction with the Padawan IPD monthly assembly, near here, today.
On another note, Merbin said the crime rate in this district in 2018 showed a decline, with 795 cases reported compared to 905 in 2017, a drop of 113 cases or 12.69 per cent.
Meanwhile, the IPD’s Narcotics CID opened 517 cases, including six cases under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) 1952, three under Section 39A(2), 110 under Section 12(2) and 374 under Section 15(1) of the DDA, with 521 locals and foreigners arrested.
Merbin said 2018 saw the most number of drug seizures made with the drugs worth a total RM171,488. – Bernama
